JP6875530B2 - Compact continuous annealing solution heat treatment - Google Patents

Description

Cross-references to related applications This application is under the names of US Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/400, 426 filed on September 27, 2016 under the name "ROTATING MAGNET HEAT INDUCTION" and under the name "ROTATING MAGNET HEAT INDUCTION". Claims the benefits of US Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 505,948 filed May 14, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Furthermore, this application is a US non-provisional patent application No. 15 / 716,887, "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORNO" by Antoine Jean Willy Pralong et al., Filed on September 27, 2017 under the name "ROTATING MAGNET HEAT INDUCTION". -The US non-provisional patent application No. 15 / 716,559 by Antoine Jean Willy Pralong et al., Filed on September 27, 2017 under the name "CONTACT TENSIONING OF A METAL STRIP", "PRE-AGEING SYSTEMS AND METUSE US Non-Temporary Patent Application No. 15 / 716,577 by David Michael Custers filed on September 27, 2017 under the name "MAGNETIC LEVITION HEATING OF METAL WITH CONTROLLLED SURFACE QUALITY" US non-provisional patent application No. 15 / 716,692 by David Anthony Gaensbauer et al., Filed on the same day, and Andrew filed on September 27, 2017 under the name "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THREADING A HOT COIL ON MILL". In connection with US Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 15 / 717,698 by James Hobbis et al., Their entire disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates generally to metallurgy, and more specifically to heat treatment of metal articles such as aluminum metal strips.

Various metals, such as aluminum alloys, are widely used for a variety of purposes, including automotive parts, structural parts, and many other applications. Traditionally, metals have been either direct chill cast or continuous cast. Often, metal ingots, slabs, or strips are rolled to final standard dimensions that can be delivered to customers (eg, automakers or parts processing plants). In some cases, the metal may need to undergo some kind of heat treatment to achieve the desired temper properties. For example, annealing can improve the moldability of a metal article, and solution heat treatment can improve the strength of a metal article.

Annealing and solution heat treatments include heating and cooling metal articles to specific temperatures and holding them at these temperatures for a specific duration of time. The temperature-time profile of a metal article can have a significant effect on the strength and ductility that results from the metal article. In some cases, solution heat treatment of aluminum alloys heats the metal article at a high temperature until the precipitated alloying elements dissolve in the solid solution in the metal article, and then quenches the metal article to hypersaturate these elements. It may include confinement in a solid solution. After solution heat treatment, the metal is cured for a constant duration at room temperature (eg natural aging), cured for a constant duration at a slightly elevated temperature (eg artificial aging or pre-aging), and / or otherwise further. Can be processed (eg, cleaned, pretreated, coated, or otherwise processed).

To achieve high throughput, metal articles can be continuously annealed and solution heat treated on a continuous processing line. Traditionally, such continuous machining lines occupy very large buildings and require expensive and complex equipment. For example, in some such continuous annealing solution heat treatment lines, it is necessary to pass the metal strip through multiple zones in order to raise the temperature of the metal strip sufficiently and keep it at the solution temperature. Some require lines up to 800 meters or more. In many cases, low tension must be maintained while the metal strip is hot, in order to properly suspend the metal strip in various zones so that it does not deform due to tension and temperature. The use of forced air is required so that the metal strip does not inadvertently come into contact with any surrounding equipment or structures. Physical contact of the metal strip with the equipment or structure can damage the equipment or structure, or the equipment or structure can damage the surface of the metal strip, shutting down and damaging the metal strip, as well as the effects. It requires the disposal of any metal in the 800 meter processing line that receives and any metal needed to start a new processing operation (eg, more than 800 meters). In addition, the forced air used to suspend the metal strips must be heated as well to maintain the desired temperature.

Current techniques for performing continuous heat treatment on metal strips accommodate significant equipment, considerable energy (eg, to heat large amounts of hot air), and considerable space (eg, 800 meters or more of equipment). To support the equipment).

The term embodiment and similar terms are intended to broadly refer to the subject matter of the present disclosure and the following claims. It should be understood that the description including these terms does not limit the subject matter described herein, nor does it limit the meaning or scope of the claims below. The embodiments of the present disclosure covered herein are defined by the following claims, rather than in this overview. This overview is a general overview of the various aspects of the disclosure and introduces some of the concepts further described in the "Detailed Description" section below. This overview is not intended to identify important or essential features of the claimed subject matter, but is also intended to be used alone to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. Absent. The subject matter should be understood by reference to the appropriate parts, any or all drawings and claims of the entire specification of the present disclosure.

Aspects of the present disclosure include a heat treatment line, a heating zone for receiving a metal strip moving downstream, in which the heating zone creates a vortex current in the metal strip to heat the metal strip to a peak metal temperature. A heating zone, which comprises a plurality of magnetic rotators for inducing, each of which rotates about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the downstream direction and parallel to the lateral width of the metal strip. A soaking zone located downstream of the heating zone to accept the metal strip and maintain the peak metal temperature for a constant duration, and downstream of the soaking zone to rapidly quench the metal strip from the peak metal temperature. It is equipped with a quenching zone positioned in. In some cases, the heat treatment line further includes a quenching zone followed by a reheating zone to pre-age the metal strip before it is wound into the final coil.

In some cases, multiple magnetic rotors include multiple pairs of magnetic rotors, each of which is a bottom magnetic rotor positioned opposite the metal strip from the top magnetic rotator. including. In some cases, each of the plurality of magnetic rotors comprises a plurality of permanent magnets positioned to rotate about an axis of rotation. In some cases, the soaking zone contains additional magnetic rotors for levitating the metal strip, each of which is perpendicular to the downstream direction and beside the metal strip. Rotate around a axis of rotation parallel to the width of the direction. In some cases, the soaking zone further includes a chamber wall positioned between the metal strip and additional multiple magnetic rotors, the chamber wall defining the chamber for receiving the metal strip, and the chamber , Can be connected to the gas supply section. In some cases, the chamber wall is made of non-metal. In some cases, the soaking zone further comprises one or more cooling devices for offsetting the temperature rise induced in the metal strip by the rotation of additional plurality of magnetic rotors. In some cases, the heat treatment line has an anchorer positioned upstream of the heating zone to provide the metal strip from the coil to the heating zone and downstream of the quenching zone to control the flatness of the metal strip. A reheating zone positioned downstream of the leveling roller for heating the metal strip, with a leveling roller positioned in the reheating zone, the reheating zone containing one or more additional magnetic rotors. Further equipped with zones. In some cases, the reheating zone is positioned after the quench zone to pre-age the metal strip before rewinding it to the final coil. In some cases, the heat treatment line further comprises a tension adjusting zone for adjusting the tension of the metal strip, the rotation of which the tension adjusting zone is perpendicular to the downstream direction and parallel to the lateral width of the metal strip. Includes one or more magnetic rotors that can rotate around an axis. In some cases, the heat treatment line accepts the metal strip after heat treatment with an anchorer positioned upstream of the heating zone to provide the metal strip from the starter coil to the heating zone, and winds the metal strip around the termination coil. Further equipped with a recoiler positioned downstream of the quenching zone for taking, a passage line is defined between the encoyler and the recoiler, along which a metal strip is placed in the heating zone without passing through the accumulator. , Soaking zone, and quenching zone. In some cases, the heat treatment line is a mobile welder or other joint positioned upstream of the heating zone for welding or otherwise joining the subsequent metal strip to the metal strip while the metal strip is in progress. Equipped with more machines.

Aspects of the present disclosure include a method of continuous heat treatment, in which a metal strip is passed downstream adjacent to a plurality of magnetic rotators and the plurality of magnetic rotators are rotated, wherein the magnetic rotators are rotated. Rotating involves rotating the magnetic rotor around a axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the downstream direction and parallel to the lateral width of the metal strip, and rotating multiple magnetic rotors is a metal. Inducing and rotating a vortex current in the metal strip to heat the strip to the peak metal temperature, and passing the metal strip through the soaking zone, and passing the metal strip through the soaking zone, is the metal. Includes passing, including maintaining the peak metal temperature of the strip for a constant duration, and quenching the metal strip from the peak metal temperature.

In some cases, the plurality of magnetic rotators comprises a plurality of magnetic rotator pairs, each of which comprises a bottom magnetic rotator and a top magnetic rotator separated by a gap. Passing the metal strip adjacent to the plurality of magnetic rotors involves passing the metal strip through the gaps of the plurality of magnetic rotor pairs. In some cases, rotating a magnetic rotor among a plurality of magnetic rotors involves rotating a plurality of permanent magnets around an axis of rotation. In some cases, passing the metal strip through the soaking zone involves levitation of the metal strip, and levitation of the metal strip involves rotating additional multiple magnetic rotors adjacent to the metal strip. including. In some cases, passing the metal strip through the soaking zone means passing the metal strip through a chamber defined by a chamber wall positioned between the metal strip and additional magnetic rotors. Includes supplying gas from the gas supply to the chamber. In some cases, maintaining peak metal temperature means applying cooling fluid to the metal strip to offset the temperature rise induced in the metal strip by the rotation of additional multiple magnetic rotors. Including. In some cases, the method is to unwind the metal strip from the starter coil, level the metal strip after quenching the metal strip, and reheat the metal strip after leveling the metal strip. The reheating of the metal strip further comprises rotating and reheating one or more additional magnetic rotors adjacent to the metal strip. In some cases, the method further comprises passing a metal strip through, which is to rotate the magnetic rotor in the downstream direction, with the magnetic rotors being plural. Selected from the group consisting of a set of magnetic rotors and additional magnetic rotors, to rotate, to pass through the ends of metal strips by the magnetic rotor, and to rotate the magnetic rotor upstream. Including reversing the rotation of the magnetic rotor. In some cases, the method is to unwind the metal strip from the starter coil before passing the metal strip adjacent to multiple magnetic rotors, and to terminate the metal strip after quenching the metal strip. The metal strip of the termination coil is heat treated, and the metal strip is not passed through the accumulator between the unwinding of the metal strip and the unwinding of the metal strip. Including further. In some cases, the method further comprises welding or otherwise joining the metal strip to a subsequent metal strip, and welding or otherwise joining the metal strip is a metal while the metal strip is in progress. Bringing the strip and subsequent metal strips into contact with the joint, passing a mobile welder or another joiner over the joint while the metal strip is in progress, and while the metal strip is in progress, Includes welding / joining joints.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below.

The present specification refers to the following accompanying drawings, wherein the use of similar reference numbers in different drawings is intended to illustrate similar or similar components.

It is a representation schematic which shows the processing line for continuous heat treatment by a specific aspect of this disclosure. It is the schematic which shows the side view of the processing line for continuous heat treatment by a specific aspect of this disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a side view of a processing line for continuous heat treatment having a magnetic soaking furnace according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. It is a combination of a schematic diagram and a temperature chart showing a heating zone and a soaking zone of a processing line according to a specific aspect of the present disclosure. It is a breaking side view of the permanent magnetic rotor according to the specific aspect of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows the process for continuous heat treatment of a metal strip by a specific aspect of this disclosure. It is a flowchart which shows the process for passing a metal strip through a continuous heat treatment line by a specific aspect of this disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing an initial step of passing a metal strip through a continuous heat treatment line according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a secondary step of passing a metal strip through a continuous heat treatment line according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing a metal strip after being threaded through a continuous heat treatment line according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic top view showing a metal strip in the pre-welding stage and a subsequent metal strip according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic top view showing a metal strip at the welding stage and subsequent metal strips according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic top view showing a metal strip and subsequent metal strips in the post-weld stage according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process for joining a metal strip to a subsequent metal strip while the metal strip is in progress, according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic partial fracture top view of a cross section of a machining line showing a metal strip levitated above an array of magnetic rotors with laterally spaced magnetic sources according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. Schematic partial fracture top view of a cross section of a machining line showing a metal strip levitated above an array of magnetic rotors with magnetic sources located close to full width in the lateral direction according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. Is.

A particular aspect and feature of the present disclosure is a compact heat treatment line containing a short heating zone that allows the metal strip to rapidly reach the proper solution temperature through the use of a magnetic rotor, such as a magnetic rotor of a permanent magnet. Regarding. A quick and efficient soaking zone can also be achieved, such as by using a magnetic rotor to levitate a metal strip in a gas-filled chamber. The magnetic rotor can further levitate the metal strip through the quench zone and, optionally, reheat the metal strip before final winding. The magnetic rotor used to heat and / or levitate the metal strip may also provide tension control, facilitating the first threading of the metal strip. Such heat treatment lines can provide continuous annealing and solution heat treatment in a much more compact space than conventional processing lines.

The compact heat treatment line can be a compact continuous annealing and solution heat treatment (CASH) line capable of solutioning and / or annealing continuous metal strips. After the metal strip has been heat treated on the heat treatment line, the metal strip may have a desired tempering degree such as T tempering degree (eg, T4, T6 or T8). Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may be particularly useful for heat treating aluminum metal strips. In some cases, thicker or thinner metal articles other than metal strips can be processed. As used herein, reference to a metal strip with respect to a particular aspect and feature of the present disclosure is optionally replaced with a reference to a metal article or any particular thicker or thinner metal article. Can be. In some cases, a particular aspect of the present disclosure is a metal strip having a thickness of about 1 mm, about 0.2 mm to about 6 mm, about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, or about 0.7 mm to about 2 mm. It can be particularly useful for heat treatment.

A typical CASH line requires a large footprint and may have a processing length that extends to or beyond approximately 800 meters (eg, the length that the metal strip travels within the CASH line). A particular aspect of the present disclosure occupies a smaller footprint, approximately 100 meters, approximately 90 meters, approximately 80 meters, approximately 70 meters, approximately 60 meters, approximately 50 meters, approximately 40 meters, approximately 30 meters, approximately 25 meters. It can have a processing length of meters, about 20 meters, or about 15 meters, or less. In some cases, the heat treatment lines disclosed herein can be positioned horizontally such that the metal strips travel primarily horizontally. However, this is not always the case, and one or more elements of the heat treatment line may orient the metal strip in the vertical or other direction.

The heat treatment line may include a heating zone, a soaking zone, and a quenching zone. In some cases, the heat treatment line may also include a reheating zone. In some cases, other zones such as an anchorer, a first tension adjustment zone, a leveling and / or microtexturing zone, a coating and / or lubrication zone, a second tension adjustment zone, and any combination of coilers and / Or elements can be used as well. In some cases, the heat treatment line may include other zones and / or elements as well, such as flatteners, joints, notches, levelers, lubricants, and coasters.

Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure make use of magnetic rotors. The magnetic rotor can rotate about an axis of rotation. The rotating magnet can be any suitable method, including a rotor motor (eg, an electric motor, a pneumatic motor, or another), or a resonant motion of a nearby magnetic source (eg, another rotating magnet or a changing magnetic field). Can be rotated with. The source of rotational force can be directly or indirectly coupled to the magnetic rotor in order to rotate the magnetic rotor. The axis of rotation of the magnetic rotor can be in any suitable direction, but the axis of rotation should be approximately parallel to the lateral width of the metal strip and approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (eg, length) of the metal strip. , Or it may be advantageous to position it approximately perpendicular to the downstream direction of the machining line. Approximately a right angle is a right angle or within 1 °, 2 °, 3 °, 4 °, 5 °, 6 °, 7 °, 8 °, 9 °, or 10 ° from a right angle, or, if necessary, a similar angle. Can include. Positioning the axis of rotation in this way can be useful in controlling the tension of the metal strip. Tension control can be very important in successfully machining metal articles (eg, metal strips) in a controlled manner on the machining line.

The magnetic rotor may include one or more magnetic sources such as electromagnets or permanent magnets. For example, a single rotor may contain a single magnetic source and thus may contain two magnetic poles, or a single rotor may contain multiple magnetic sources and thus may contain multiple magnetic poles. .. In some cases, a single rotator magnetic source produces a directionally asymmetric magnetic field, such as a permanent magnet magnetic source arranged in a Halbach array to direct the magnetic field from the outer circumference of the magnetic rotator. Can be arranged as Magnetic rotors can generally include only permanent magnets, but in some cases rotating magnets can include electromagnets or combinations of electromagnets with permanent magnets. In some cases, a magnetic rotor of a permanent magnet may be preferred and more efficient results can be achieved than the magnetic rotor relying on an electromagnet. The magnetic source can extend over the full width of the magnetic rotor or less than the full width of the magnetic rotor. In some cases, the magnetic rotor may include laterally spaced magnetic sources. Thus, the laterally spaced magnetic sources may include gaps in the width of the magnetic rotor in the absence of the magnetic source. Magnetic rotors with laterally spaced magnetic sources may include magnetic rotors with two or more arrays laterally spaced apart from each other, with each array having one or more. Includes magnetic source. Magnetic rotors with laterally spaced magnetic sources can be particularly efficient at levitating metal strips while minimizing the amount of heat induced in the metal strips.

The rotational motion of a magnetic rotor induces its magnetic source to move or change a magnetic field adjacent to the magnetic rotor through which the metal strip can pass. When used in pairs of upper and lower rotors, a pair of magnetic rotors is between the upper and lower rotors where a changing magnetic field is generated and through which the metal strip can pass. The gap can be defined. When used as a single magnetic rotor, the metal strip can pass adjacent to the magnetic rotor within the effective distance of the magnetic rotor, within which the changing magnetic field generated by the magnetic rotor , Providing the desired effect. As used herein, the term "array of magnetic rotors" refers to a single magnetic rotor, a single magnetic rotor pair, two or more magnetic rotors, or two or more pairs. It may include a magnetic rotor.

The magnetic rotor can be used in any suitable article capable of generating eddy currents in the presence of moving and time-varying magnetic fields. In some cases, the magnetic rotors disclosed herein are aluminum, aluminum alloys, magnesium, magnesium-based materials, titanium, titanium-based materials, copper, copper-based materials, steel, steel-based materials, bronze, bronze. It can be used with based materials, brass, brass-based materials, composites, sheets used in composites, or conductive materials including any other suitable metal, non-metal, or combination of materials. The article may include monolithic materials and non-monolithic materials such as roll-bonded materials, clad materials, composite materials (including but not limited to carbon fiber-containing materials), or various other materials. In a non-limiting example, a magnetic rotor can be used to heat metal articles, such as aluminum metal strips, slabs, or other articles made from aluminum alloys, including aluminum alloys containing iron. Magnetic rotors can be used to heat and / or levitate metal articles such as metal strips. Eddy currents can be generated or induced in the metal article as it passes through the changing magnetic field generated by the rotating magnetic rotor. Thus, these eddy currents can heat the metal article as it flows through the resistance of the metal article. In addition, the eddy currents generated in the metal article can generate a magnetic field that opposes the magnetic field from the magnetic rotor, thus creating a repulsive force that can be used to levitate the metal article. In addition to heating and / or levitating the metal article, a magnetic rotor can be used to control the tension of the metal strip and move the metal strip directly downstream.

The magnetic rotor includes the strength of the magnetic source, the number of magnetic sources, the orientation of the magnetic source, the size of the magnetic source, the size of the rotating magnet itself (including any shell), the speed of the rotating magnet (eg rotating speed), Vertical gaps between vertically offset magnetic rotors (eg, vertically offset rotors in a single set of rotors), laterally offset arrangements of vertically offset magnetic rotors (eg, for example). Lateral offset arrangement of rotators in a single set of rotators), longitudinal gap between adjacent magnetic rotators, thickness of metal strips, vertical distance between each rotating magnet and metal strip , The composition of the metal strip, the presence of the magnetic shield (eg, the focusing or shielding element of a particular bundle), the thickness and / or permeability of the magnetic shield, the advancing speed of the metal strip, and the number of magnetic rotors used. It can be controlled in various ways, including through the manipulation of various factors related to the magnetic rotor. Other factors can be controlled as well. Control of these and other factors can be static (eg, set prior to the heat treatment process) or dynamic (eg, changeable on the fly during the heat treatment process). In some cases, among other things, control of one or more of the aforementioned factors may be based on computer model, operator feedback, or automatic feedback (eg, based on signals from real-time sensors). The controller can operate on the magnetic rotor (eg, by wired or wireless connection) to dynamically adjust the tension of the metal strip, the speed of the metal strip, or other aspect of the progress of the metal strip through the heat treatment line. ) Can be linked.

Control of the magnetic rotor may allow control of the tension of the metal strip. In some cases, controlling the magnetic rotor may allow control of the downstream movement speed of the metal strip. In some cases, using precise control of tension and / or velocity, the amount of time the metal strip spends in the heating and / or quenching zone, or more specifically, the metal strip at the desired temperature ( Desirable heat treatment can be facilitated, for example, by controlling the amount of time spent at the solution temperature).

The magnetic rotor can rotate in the "downstream" or "upstream" direction. As used herein, a magnetic rotor that rotates downstream means that the surface of the magnetic rotor closest to the metal strip at any given time is in the direction of travel of the metal strip (eg, generally towards the downstream direction). Rotate to move. For example, when the metal strip is viewed from the side while moving the metal strip to the right in its longitudinal direction, the magnetic rotor positioned above the metal strip that rotates downstream rotates counterclockwise. On the other hand, a magnetic rotor positioned below the metal strip and rotating downstream can rotate clockwise. As used herein, a magnetic rotor that rotates upstream is such that the surface of the magnetic rotor closest to the metal strip at any given time is on the opposite side of the metal strip's direction of travel (eg, generally upstream). Rotate to move (towards). For example, if the metal strip is viewed from the side while moving the metal strip to the right in its longitudinal direction of travel, a magnetic rotor positioned above the metal strip that rotates upstream can rotate clockwise. On the other hand, a magnetic rotor positioned below the metal strip and rotating upstream can rotate counterclockwise.

In the heating zone, the metal strip can be rapidly heated to a desired temperature, such as annealing temperature or solution temperature. For example, in the case of certain aluminum alloys, the heating zone heats the metal strip at a temperature of 400 ° C. to 600 ° C., more specifically at about 560 ° C., 565 ° C., 570 ° C., 575 ° C., 580 ° C., 585 ° C., 590 ° C. It can be heated to temperatures of 595 ° C, or 600 ° C, and even more preferably approximately 565 ° C, or less. In some cases, for certain aluminum alloys, the heating zone can heat the metal strip to a temperature of approximately 500 ° C to 560 ° C. The metal strip can be levitated and / or supported by an array of magnetic rotors while in the heating zone. However, in some cases, one or more pairs of magnetic rotors may be used to simultaneously levitate and heat the metal strip. A pair of magnetic rotors may include an upper rotor positioned from the lower rotor to the opposite side of the metal strip. A gap can be defined between the pairs of magnetic rotors. In some cases, a single pair of magnetic rotors can cause the temperature of the metal strip to be approximately 40 ° C to approximately 80 ° C, approximately 50 ° C to approximately 70 ° C, approximately 60 ° C to approximately 70 ° C, or approximately 70 ° C. Can only be raised. In some cases, a pair of magnetic rotors allows the metal strip to pass through these temperature rises at a rate of about 40-80 m / min, about 50-70 m / min, or about 60 m / min. Can be achieved when moving. Precise control of the temperature rise of the metal strip can be achieved by controlling the magnetic field, which changes, such as by adjusting the rotational speed of the magnetic rotors or the size of the gap between the pairs of magnetic rotors. .. Multiple pairs of magnetic rotors can be used in succession to achieve the desired temperature rise. As used herein, reference to the temperature of a metal strip may include the peak metal temperature of the metal strip. The heating zone may include a magnetic rotor for heating the metal strip and an additional magnetic rotor for optionally levitating the metal strip. Magnetic rotors, which are specifically used to levitate metal strips, may provide some heating to the metal strips.

In some cases, an additional heating device may be used in the heating zone separately from the magnetic rotator, either in place of the magnetic rotor pair or in addition to the magnetic rotor pair. Examples of additional heating devices include induction coils, direct flame collision devices, hot gas devices, infrared devices, or the like. In some cases, additional heating devices provide auxiliary heating to the metal strips to achieve the desired temperature and / or to maintain a more uniform temperature distribution over the lateral width of the metal strips. Can be done. For example, in some cases where the magnetic rotor heats the metal strip, hot spots and / or cold spots may be present on the metal strip after passing through the magnetic rotor, at which point an auxiliary heating device is used. The cold spot can then be heated to even out the temperature distribution over the lateral width of the metal strip. In some examples, a cooling device can be used to cool the hotspot to even out the temperature distribution over the lateral width of the metal strip.

In some cases, in addition to or instead of the magnetic rotor, a non-rotating electromagnet may be used in the heating zone. However, using a magnetic rotor as opposed to a stationary electromagnet to generate a changing magnetic field can provide not only increased efficiency, but also more uniform heating of the metal strip. By using a stationary electromagnet to change the induction field transmitted across the width of the metal strip, local hot spots can be created within the metal strip. Induction fields of varying intensities can be caused by natural fluctuations in the winding of different stationary electromagnets. Fluctuations in the winding of the electromagnet can result in several positions that generate more heat than adjacent lateral positions. Local hot spots can cause uneven deformation of the metal strip and cause other manufacturing defects. In contrast, permanent magnets can contain several levels of inherent magnetic variation across dimensions or from one magnet to another, but some or all of this variation is the magnetic source of the magnetic rotor. Can be automatically averaged due to the rotation of. An average magnetic field is applied by the rotating permanent magnets because no single permanent magnet is held in any lateral stationary position. Therefore, the rotating magnetic rotor can uniformly heat the metal strip in a more controlled manner. When used in a rotating magnet heater, the variation between different electromagnets can be averaged due to the rotation of the magnetic rotor. This averaging of fluctuations does not occur with stationary electromagnets.

The soaking zone may include soaking furnaces such as tunnel furnaces or other suitable furnaces. Within the soaking zone, the metal strip can be maintained at the desired duration and desired temperature (eg, solution temperature). Maintaining the temperature at the desired temperature means keeping the temperature within 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, or 12% of the desired temperature, preferably 0.5% of the desired temperature. It may include keeping within 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, or 6%. The desired duration depends on the alloy used, the desired type of product, and the method of casting the metal article or prior thermal machining steps such as any cold or hot rolling performed on the metal article. It can be decided. For example, a continuously cast metal article may be able to achieve the desired result using a much shorter duration than a direct chill cast metal article. In some cases, the metal strip can be soaked for a duration of about 0 to about 40 seconds or longer. In some cases, certain aspects and features of the present disclosure are particularly useful for continuously cast metal articles. In some cases, the soaking zone can also facilitate raising the metal strip to the desired temperature.

To maintain the peak metal temperature of the metal strip, any suitable furnace can be used in the soaking zone, such as a hot air furnace, a magnetic rotator-based furnace, an infrared furnace, or a combination thereof. For example, a soaking furnace can use heated gas to maintain the temperature of the metal strip. In some cases, an array of magnetic rotors is used in addition to or instead of the heated gas to provide the metal strip with sufficient heat to maintain the temperature of the metal strip at the desired temperature. obtain.

The soaking zone may include an array of magnetic rotors for levitating the metal strip in the soaking zone. The array of magnetic rotors can apply some heat to the metal strip. In some cases, this given heat can be used to keep the temperature of the metal strip at the desired temperature. In some cases, such as the magnetic rotor producing too much heat, in some cases the heat given can be offset through one or more cooling devices in the soaking zone. .. Examples of suitable cooling devices include coolant headers or nozzles that can be controlled to distribute the coolant fluid (eg, liquid or gas) onto metal strips. The coolant fluid can be distributed at any temperature below or below which it is desirable to maintain on the metal strips within the soaking zone. The cooling device may be controllable to distribute the coolant fluid as needed to facilitate maintaining the temperature of the metal strips at the desired temperature throughout the soaking zone. In some cases, the soaking zone may have a length of approximately 50m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 15m, 10m, or 5m, or less.

In some cases, the soaking zone may include a gas filling chamber through which the metal strips pass. The gas filling chamber can be large enough (eg, at height) to surround any surrounding magnetic rotor used to levitate the metal strip. However, the gas filling chamber is preferably low in height sufficiently to surround the metal strip without surrounding any surrounding magnetic rotors. In some cases, the gas filling chamber is approximately 50-250 mm in height, eg 50-200 mm or 100 mm, or any range in between. In some cases, the gas filling chamber can be approximately 250 mm or more in height. The gas filling chamber may include not only the side walls but also chamber walls such as the upper and lower walls, allowing the metal strips to be continuously fed to the upstream end of the chamber and continuously delivered from the downstream end of the chamber. to enable. Chamber wall, Kevlar ^{(registered trademark)} or other aramid or NOMEX may be made of ^(R) or other non-conductive and heat resistant material such as meta-aramid. The chamber wall, more specifically the lower sidewall, can be positioned between the metal strip and the magnetic rotor used to levitate the metal strip within the soaking zone.

The chamber may include one or more ports for supplying gas from the gas supply to the chamber. In some cases, the ports may be arranged to allow the gas flowing into the chamber to provide additional support for levitation of the metal strip. In some cases, the gas supply may carry gas into the chamber through one or more ends of the chamber. In some cases, an inert gas (eg, nitrogen or argon) or a minimal reactive gas (eg, dry air) can be used in the chamber. In some cases, other gases such as treatment gases (eg, methane or silane gas for inducing passivation of the surface of metal strips) may be used. In some cases, the gas may be preheated to the desired temperature to facilitate maintaining the desired temperature of the metal strip within the soaking zone, but in some cases the gas is minimal. It may or may not be preheated to the limit. In some cases, hot gas may be supplied to assist in heating from the rotating magnet. The hot gas can be an inert or minimally reactive gas. Hot gas can be supplied through a port of the metal strip oriented towards an area where magnetic heating does not completely heat the metal strip. The hot gas can not only provide an inert or minimally reactive atmosphere in the chamber, but can also facilitate the homogenization of the temperature of the metal article.

In some cases, the chamber extends over a length equal to or approximately equal to the length of the soaking zone. In some cases, the chamber can extend, at least partially, within the heating zone. For example, in some cases, the metal strip may be positioned within the chamber when heated by some or all of a pair of magnetic rotors in the heating zone.

In some cases, the heat treatment line may not include a soaking furnace, especially when the temperature distribution over the lateral width of the metal strip is very uniform as it exits the heating zone. In such cases, the soaking zone may extend from the heating zone to the quenching zone with the metal strip exposed to ambient and / or room temperature air. An array of magnetic rotors can still be used to levitate metal strips as they pass between the heating zone and the quenching zone. A soaking zone without a soaking furnace may still have a duration determined by the rate of travel of the metal strip and the length between the heating zone and the quenching zone.

In the quench zone, the coolant is distributed through the quench tank or bath or through the use of one or more coolant headers or nozzles (eg, linear nozzles) to distribute the coolant over the metal strips, etc. It can be provided to the metal strip in any suitable way. Any suitable coolant, such as a liquid (eg water), a gas (eg air), or a combination of the two, may be used. As used herein, providing a coolant may include distributing the coolant on a metal strip or passing the metal strip through the coolant. Coolants are used to rapidly cool the peak metal temperature of metal strips, such as at speeds of approximately 50 ° C / sec to 400 ° C / sec, approximately 100 ° C / sec to 300 ° C / sec, or approximately 200 ° C / sec. Can be provided in a sufficient manner. In some cases, the metal strip is rapidly cooled at a rate of at least 200 ° C./sec. In some cases, the metal strip can be hardened to a temperature of 250 ° C. or near, but other temperatures, such as about 50 ° C. to 500 ° C. or about 200 ° C. to 500 ° C., can be used. Control over quenching performed in the quench zone can be achieved by controlling the temperature and / or distribution of the coolant. For example, the coolant header and / or the valve associated with the nozzle (eg, connected to it) may provide control over the distribution of the coolant. In some cases, the coolant header or nozzle can be adjusted as a single unit over the lateral width of the metal strip, or (distributes more coolant to a particular part of the metal strip than to other parts). It may be individually adjustable at different positions along the lateral width of the metal strip.

Controllers and sensors (eg, non-contact temperature sensors) can be used at any suitable location along the heat treatment line to provide feedback control to the heat treatment line. Suitable locations may include the interior of any one or more of the zones or elements of the heat treatment line, next to it, upstream of it, or downstream of it. Any suitable controller and / or sensor can be used. For example, a temperature sensor located inside, next to, or immediately downstream of the heating zone may provide temperature information (eg, a signal) to the controller, which the controller uses to rotate magnetically. Any controllable aspect of the heating zone, such as the speed and / or gap height of the pair of children, can be controlled. Similarly, a temperature sensor located inside, next to, or immediately downstream of the soaking zone may provide temperature information (eg, a signal) to a controller (eg, the same or different controller), which the controller provides. Can be used to control any controllable aspect of the soaking zone, such as a soaking zone coolant nozzle or a valve associated with the coolant header. In another example, a flatness sensor could be used after the quench zone to provide flattening information (eg, a signal) to a controller (eg, the same or different controller), which would provide that flattening information. It can be used to improve the flatness of the metal strip, such as by controlling the coolant nozzle in the quench zone or the valve associated with the coolant header.

In some cases, one or more coolant removal devices can be used to remove the residual coolant from the metal strip as it exits the quench zone. Examples of suitable coolant removal devices include squeegees (such as rubber squeegees), air knives, or other contact or non-contact coolant removal devices.

An array of magnetic rotors can be used to levitate the metal strip while it is in the quench zone.

An coiler can be used upstream of the heating zone to unwind or uncoil the metal strip from the inlet coil (eg, the coil of the metal strip that passes through the heat treatment line). In some cases, the anchorer can carry the metal strip through an unwinding roller before the metal strip enters the heating zone. The unwinding roller may include a load cell for determining the tension of the metal strip. The load cell may be coupled to one or more controllers to provide feedback that can be used by the controller to adjust the tension of the metal strip, if desired. The metal strip leaving the anchorer can be transported directly to the heating zone or first to the tension adjustment zone. A magnetic rotor may be used to control the tension of the metal strip in either the heating zone or the tension adjusting zone. For example, a magnetic rotor rotating in the downstream direction can apply a downstream force to the metal strip, while a magnetic rotor rotating in the upstream direction can apply an upstream force to the metal strip. Multiple longitudinally spaced (eg, sequentially spaced) magnetic rotors can cancel some or all of any tension induced in the metal strip by each other. For example, a first magnetic rotor that rotates to induce longitudinal tension in a metal strip is separated from a second magnetic rotor that rotates in the opposite direction so that longitudinal tension is reduced or eliminated. Can be placed. Thus, as described herein, the tension of the metal strip is controlled through the control of the magnetic rotors (eg, the position, velocity, direction, strength of the pair of magnetic rotors, the gap between the opposing rotors, and others. Can be controlled (through adjustment of such parameters). If a tension adjustment zone is used, the tension adjustment zone may include an array of magnetic rotors used to levitate the metal strip. In some cases, the tension adjustment zone is in a single magnetic rotor where the magnetic source occupies a width smaller or substantially smaller than the full width of the magnetic rotor without significantly heating the metal strip. Includes a pair of magnetic rotors designed to exert tension changes on the metal strip, such as through the use of multiple laterally spaced magnetic sources. In the tension adjustment zone, the tension of the metal strip can be gradually reduced from the starting tension (eg, between the anchor and the beginning of the tension adjustment zone) to a low tension that may be particularly desirable for heat treatment.

In some cases, there is a welded or joined zone between the anchorer and the heating zone. In some cases, the welded or joined zone can be part of a tension adjustment zone. In the welding or joining zone, using a mobile welder or other joining device, the metal strip (eg, the metal strip being machined and the subsequent metal strip) is being used while the metal strip is traveling through the heat treatment line. ) Ends can be welded or joined together on the fly. Magnetic rotors can be used to levitate the ends of the metal strips and orient the ends of the metal strips together, but other equipment such as contact rollers and carriages can be used as well. When the trailing end of the metal strip being machined is unwound from the inlet coil, the tip of the subsequent metal strip is unwound from its own inlet coil (eg, using a second anchorer). ), And can be oriented towards the rear end of the metal strip. In the welding or joining zone, the leading edge of the subsequent metal strip and the trailing edge of the metal strip can be combined at the joint. The use of magnetic rotors or contact devices (eg, rollers or carriages) can help hold the ends of the metal strips together or very close together. As the metal strip travels downstream, the welding device or other joining device can be moved in the same downstream direction as the metal strip and at the same speed, and the welding device or other joining device is welding or separate. It makes it possible to maintain alignment with the joint when joining such joints. Any suitable joining device, such as an arc welder (eg, a gas metal arc welder or a gas tungsten arc welder), a fuel-based welder (eg, a hydrogen acid welder), or another welder or joining device. Can be used. The welding or joining device can travel along a set of rails, or can otherwise be suspended above or below the metal strip. In some cases, the welding or joining device can weld / join the entire lateral width of the metal strip at once. In some cases, the welding or joining device can also travel laterally when welding / joining metal strips. Since the magnetic rotor can control the advancing rate of the metal strip, the magnetic rotor can slow down the advancing rate of the metal strip during the welding or joining process. For example, under standard operating conditions, the metal strip can travel through the heat treatment line at a rate of about 60 m / min, but during welding / joining, the metal strip is about 5 m / min to 20 m / min, about. It can travel at speeds of 7 m / min to 15 m / min, or approximately 10 m / min.

In some cases, the heat treatment system may include leveling and / or microtextured zones. The leveling and / or microtexturing zone comprises one or more rollers through which the metal strip passes and can be leveled and / or textured through the metal strip. The metal strip may pass through a gap or nip between a pair of leveling rollers and / or microtextured rollers. In some cases, leveling and / or microtexturing rollers may apply sufficient force to the metal strip to level and / or texture the metal strip, but generally reduce the thickness of the metal strip ( For example, reducing the thickness of metal strips by 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%, 0.9%, or 1%, or less) is not sufficient. .. For example, the amount of force applied through the leveling and / or microtextured rollers can be less than the yield strength of the metal strip. In some cases, forces are applied from one or more working rolls via each leveling and / or microtexturing roller. In some cases, the microtextured rollers can have at least two different textures, which may or may not overlap. In some cases, the controller can be used to adjust the leveling and / or microtexturing rollers to obtain the desired leveling and / or microtexturing results.

In some cases, the heat treatment line may include a coating and / or lubrication zone. The coating and / or lubrication zone can be located downstream of the quench zone. In some cases, the coating and / or lubrication zone may be located downstream of the leveling and / or microtexturing zone. In the coating and / or lubrication zone, coating and / or lubrication can be applied to the metal strip. Coating and / or lubrication can be applied through any suitable technique such as spray coating, roll coating, lamination, or other techniques.

In some cases, the heat treatment line may include a reheating zone. In some cases, the reheating zone may be located downstream of the leveling and / or microtexturing zone. In some cases, the reheating zone may be located downstream of the coating and / or lubrication zone. The reheating zone may include one or more heating devices that raise the temperature of the metal strip after quenching in the quench zone. In some cases, one or more heating devices may include an array of magnetic rotors used to heat the metal strip. In some cases, the reheating zone may include an array of magnetic rotors (eg, the same array or another array for heating the metal strip) for levitating the metal strip through the reheating zone. In some cases where the reheating zone is located downstream of the coating and / or lubrication zone, the reheating zone is used to cure the coating and / or coat and / or lubricate from the heat of the metal strip. The flow of lubricant applied to the coating and / or lubrication zone can be facilitated, such as by heating the metal strip sufficiently to facilitate the flow of the agent. Heating the coating and / or lubricant from the metal strip can reduce the potential for damage to the coating or lubricant, which can occur in the event of overheating, and the risk in current gas combustion furnaces. In some cases, the reheating zone pre-ages or artificially heats the temperature of the metal strip in preparation for winding the metal strip to the final coil and aging the metal strip while winding the metal strip. Can be raised to. Such pre-aging or artificial aging temperatures can range from about 60 ° C to about 150 ° C. For example, the pre-aging treatment is about 60 ° C, 65 ° C, 70 ° C, about 75 ° C, about 80 ° C, about 85 ° C, about 90 ° C, about 95 ° C, about 100 ° C, about 105 ° C, about 110 ° C, about. It can be performed at temperatures of 115 ° C., about 120 ° C., about 125 ° C., about 130 ° C., about 135 ° C., about 140 ° C., about 145 ° C., or about 150 ° C.

The heat treatment line may include a coiler used to wind or coil the metal strip into a final coil (eg, a coil of heat treated metal strip). The coiler can be positioned at the downstream end of the heat treatment line. In some cases, such as when a mobile welder / joiner is used to provide continuous heat treatment of continuous metal strips, the coiler may include a cutter for cutting the metal strips and subsequent metals. Allows the strip to be wound separately from the metal strip. The cutter may include a feedback device (eg, a camera, distance sensor, or other sensor) to ensure that the metal strips are separated as close as possible to the joint.

In some cases, the final tension adjustment zone may be located just upstream of the coiler. The final tension adjustment zone may include an array of magnetic rotors that help adjust the tension of the metal strip before levitating and winding the metal strip. For example, a magnetic rotor across the heat treatment line may attempt to minimize the tension of the metal strip, at least in the heating zone, while the final tension adjustment zone acts to increase the tension as the metal strip enters the coiler. Can be done. In some cases, the coiler can work better when there is at least a minimal amount of tension on the metal strip.

In some cases, a magnetic rotor positioned throughout the heat treatment line can be used to facilitate passing the metal strip through the heat treatment line. Downstream rotation of the magnetic rotor can act to increase the tension of the metal strip and lift the free end of the metal strip above any equipment or structure below the metal strip. In some cases, the free end of the metal strip can be guided through the heat treatment line by any suitable technique. In some cases, the carriage may be slidably positioned on rails that extend beyond some or all of the heat treatment lines. The carriage supports the free end of the metal strip and can help guide the metal strip through the heat treatment line while the rotating magnet floats the metal strip. Since the metal strip is levitated through the heat treatment line, the entire heat treatment line can be passed through with much less scraping of the metal strip than other methods possible in the prior art.

After the plate is completed, at least some magnetic rotors can rotate in the opposite direction and rotate upstream, which helps to minimize the tension of the metal strip. The ability to rotate the magnetic rotor in the opposite direction brings significant advantages to the ability to pass the metal strip through the heat treatment line.

In some cases, the plate can be facilitated by rotating the pair of upper magnetic rotors of the magnetic rotor at a speed slightly faster than the speed of the lower magnetic rotor. This overspeed can help counteract the gravitational pull on the free end of the metal strip. In some cases, other techniques such as forced air are used to pull the metal strip by gravity to the free end to avoid bending around one of the magnetic rotors. It can be canceled.

Certain aspects of the heat treatment lines disclosed herein are non-contact (without contact with the metal strip or with minimal contact with the metal strip), carrying, levitation, and heating the metal strip. Can be provided.

As used herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "upper", "lower", "vertical", and "horizontal" mean that a metal article is as if its top and bottom were approximately the ground. It is used to describe relative orientation to metal articles such as metal strips, as if they were moving horizontally so that they were parallel. As used herein, the term "vertical" can refer in a direction perpendicular to the surface (eg, top or bottom) of a metal article, regardless of the orientation of the metal article. As used herein, the term "horizontal" refers to a direction parallel to the surface (eg, top or bottom) of a metal article, such as a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the moving metal article, regardless of the orientation of the metal article. Can point. The terms "upper" and "lower" can refer to positions beyond the top or bottom of a metal article, regardless of the orientation of the metal article. However, the term "downward" can refer to a position closer to the Earth's gravitational attraction, especially when used with respect to magnetic levitation. The metal strip can be machined in any suitable direction, including horizontal, vertical, or other directions such as diagonal.

As used herein, the terms vertical, longitudinal, and lateral can be used with respect to heated metal articles. The longitudinal direction may extend along the traveling direction of the metal article passing through the processing equipment, such as along a passing line through a continuous annealing solution heat treatment (CASH) line. The longitudinal direction can be parallel to the top and bottom surfaces of the metal article. The longitudinal direction can be perpendicular to the lateral and vertical directions. The lateral direction can extend between the side edges of the metal article. The lateral direction can extend in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal and vertical directions. The vertical direction can extend between the top and bottom surfaces of the metal article. The vertical direction can be perpendicular to the longitudinal and lateral directions.

Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure may be used with any suitable metal article, such as in the form of foils, sheets, strips, slabs, plates, shades, or other metal articles. However, it may be preferable to use a number of aspects and features of the present disclosure with metal strips. The embodiments and features of the present disclosure may be particularly suitable for any metal article having a flat surface (eg, flat top and bottom). The embodiments and features of the present disclosure may be particularly suitable for any metal article having parallel or approximately parallel opposing surfaces (eg, top and bottom). Approximately parallel means parallel or parallel within 1 °, 2 °, 3 °, 4 °, 5 °, 6 °, 7 °, 8 °, 9 °, or 10 °, or, if necessary, the same. May include.

The embodiments and features of the present disclosure can be used with any suitable metal article of metal. In some cases, the metal article is aluminum, such as an aluminum alloy. In some cases, the metal article can be an iron-containing aluminum alloy. Although other alloys such as 1xxx, 2xxx, 3xxx, 4xxx, 7xxx, or 8xxx series alloys may be used, certain aspects and features of the present disclosure are particularly suitable for use with 6xxx or 5xxx series aluminum alloys. obtain. 6xxx and 5xxx series aluminum alloys can have a conductivity of approximately 10,000,000 Siemens (10 MS / m) per meter. In some cases, alloys with higher conductivity, such as 15 MS / m or 20 MS / m, are due, at least in part, to generate less secondary magnetic flux (eg, magnetic flux produced by metal articles). It can result in inefficient heating through the rotating magnet and counteract the primary bundle (eg, the magnetic flux generated by the rotating magnet).

The magnetic rotor can be positioned above or below the metal article (eg, above or below the passing line, or above or below the chamber). As used herein, references to elements that are positioned relative to a metal article are, if necessary, a passing line (eg, a desired passing line in which it is desired that the metal article travel along it. ) Can point to an element that is positioned relative to. In some cases, an array of magnetic rotors for heating a metal article may include magnetic rotors positioned both above and below the metal article. In some cases, these magnetic rotors are arranged in pairs, with similar magnetic rotors (eg, similar or same size, strength, rotational speed, and / or upstream or downstream rotation direction). They are placed directly from each other in the opposite direction of the passing line. When the opposing magnetic rotors are placed on opposite sides of the metal article and rotate in the same downstream or upstream direction, one of the two magnetic rotors rotates clockwise while the two magnets The other of the rotors can rotate counterclockwise.

The magnetic rotor can have a length approximately equal to or longer than the width of the metal article, and the magnetic source can have a length approximately equal to or longer than the width of the metal article. In some cases, the magnetic rotor and / or magnetic source for heating can be laterally displaced to occupy less than 100% of the lateral width of the metal strip. The magnetic rotor and / or magnetic source of the magnetic rotor used for levitation (eg, the magnetic rotor in the soaking zone) is less than 100% of the lateral width of the metal strip, eg, lateral to the metal strip. Approximately 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20% of width , 15%, or 10%, or less. In some cases, a single rotor in the soaking zone may accommodate two or more magnetic sources laterally spaced apart from each other. In some cases, the lateral positions of the magnetic sources of the sequential magnetic rotors used for levitation (eg, sequential magnetic rotors spaced apart in the longitudinal direction) can be offset from each other, resulting in , A staggered magnetic source array is provided. The staggered nature of the magnetic source can help minimize unwanted non-uniform heating during levitation of the metal strip.

In some cases, the array of magnetic rotors for levitating the metal strip can only be positioned below the metal strip, but not necessarily. In some cases, the magnetic rotor can be positioned above the metal strip to assist in orienting or steering the metal strip. For example, a magnetic rotor may be placed at or near the edge of the metal strip, including beyond the edge of the metal strip, and rotated along an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the metal strip. The force can be directed towards the longitudinal centerline of the desired path through the heat treatment line or any particular zone or part of the equipment. These magnetic rotors can facilitate centering of metal strips. These centering magnetic rotors can be placed in any suitable position. In some cases, the centering magnetic rotator is used, especially when under low tension (eg in the heating zone and / or soaking zone) or when the metal strip is under compression (eg next to the anchor and coiler). The metal strip can be stabilized.

In some cases, when the magnetic rotor is used above and below the metal strip, the magnetic rotor positioned above the metal strip may be operable between the closed and open positions. In the closed position, the magnetic rotor, and optionally any upper chamber wall (eg, in the soaking zone), can be in place for normal operation. In the open position, any upper magnetic rotor and / or upper chamber wall (eg, in the soaking zone) is moved away from the normal operating position to place the metal strip in the heat treatment line or through the plate. It can provide more space to let. Once the metal strip is placed, any upper magnetic rotor, and optionally any upper chamber wall, can be returned to the closed position for normal operation.

In some cases, a flux focusing element can be used adjacent to the magnetic rotor to reorient the flux away from or towards a particular region. The magnetic flux focusing element can be any suitable material capable of redirecting the magnetic flux, including concentrating the magnetic flux. The flux focusing element receives flux from a magnetic source of a magnetic rotor that is not in close proximity to or directly facing the article and directs the flux towards the article (eg, in a direction perpendicular to the top or bottom of the article). ) Can be redirected. The flux focusing element can also provide the advantage of providing a magnetic shield between the magnetic rotor and adjacent equipment other than the heated metal article. For example, a magnetic flux focusing element can allow adjacent longitudinally offset magnetic rotors to be placed closer to each other with less magnetic interaction between them. The flux focusing element can be made from any suitable material, including silicon alloy steel (eg, electric steel). The flux focusing element may include a plurality of laminates. The flux focusing element can be a flux divertor, a flux controller, or a flux concentrator. When a flux focusing element is used, the magnetic rotor may be able to achieve efficient results at lower rotational speeds and may be able to place the magnet further away from the metal article.

A particular aspect and feature of the present disclosure is to provide faster heating than a convection oven, such as about 5 times faster than a convection oven, with high energy efficiency (eg, about 80% efficiency). Provide a heat treatment line that can be used. In addition, the magnetic rotor can provide heat on / off control almost instantly. In addition, certain aspects and features of the present disclosure provide the ability to levitate the metal strip over most, if not all, of the heat treatment line, including at least during heating and / or soaking of the metal strip, thereby providing a surface. Optimize quality. Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure can also offer various advantages in a very compact size. Due to the rapid magnetic heating, not only the longitudinal length of the heat treatment line can be minimized, but also the magnetic heating and levitation can make the chamber containing the inert atmosphere very small. This improves gas usage efficiency. In some cases, certain aspects and features of the present disclosure can provide other metallurgical benefits to metal strips, such as reduced surface oxidation and faster dissolution or redistribution of intermetallic compound phases. In some cases, certain aspects and features of the present disclosure can minimize unwanted magnesium transfer during a particular heating process.

As used herein, alloys identified by AA numbers such as "series" or "7xxx" and other related symbolic representations are referenced. For an understanding of the most commonly used numbering systems for naming and identifying aluminum and its alloys, both are published by The Aluminum Association, "International Alloy Designs and Chemical Corporation Limits for Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum". Or "Registration Record of Aluminum Alloy Designs and Chemical Compositions Limits for Aluminum Alloys in the Form of Casting".

As used herein, the plate generally has a thickness in the range of 5 mm to 50 mm. For example, the plate can refer to an aluminum product having a thickness of about 5 mm, 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, 45 mm, or 50 mm.

As used herein, the shade (also referred to as the sheet plate) generally has a thickness of about 4 mm to about 15 mm. For example, the shade can have a thickness of 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, or 15 mm.

As used herein, sheet generally refers to an aluminum product with a thickness of less than about 4 mm. For example, the sheet can have a thickness of less than 4 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, less than 1 mm, less than 0.5 mm, less than 0.3 mm, or 0.1 mm.

In this application, the tempering degree or condition of the alloy is referred to. For an understanding of the most commonly used description of alloy tempering, see "American National Standards (ANSI) H35 on Alloy and Temper Designation Systems." F-state or tempering refers to the aluminum alloy produced. O state or tempering degree refers to the aluminum alloy after annealing. T4 state or tempering refers to the aluminum alloy after solution heat treatment (ie solution) followed by natural aging. T6 state or tempering refers to the aluminum alloy after solution heat treatment followed by natural aging. The T7 state or tempering degree refers to the aluminum alloy after solution heat treatment followed by aging or stabilization. T8 state or tempering refers to the aluminum alloy after solution heat treatment, followed by cold working, followed by artificial aging. T9 state or tempering refers to the aluminum alloy after solution heat treatment, followed by artificial aging, and subsequent cold working. The H1 state or tempering degree refers to an aluminum alloy after strain hardening. H2 state or temper refers to the aluminum alloy after strain hardening and subsequent annealing. H3 state or temper refers to the aluminum alloy after strain hardening and subsequent stabilization. The second digit (eg, H1X) following the HX condition or tempering degree indicates the final strain hardening degree.

As used herein, "room temperature" means about 15 ° C to about 30 ° C, eg, about 15 ° C, about 16 ° C, about 17 ° C, about 18 ° C, about 19 ° C, about 20 ° C, It may include temperatures of about 21 ° C., about 22 ° C., about 23 ° C., about 24 ° C., about 25 ° C., about 26 ° C., about 27 ° C., about 28 ° C., about 29 ° C., or about 30 ° C. As used herein, the meaning of "ambient condition" can include a temperature of about room temperature, a relative humidity of about 20% to about 100%, and an atmospheric pressure of about 975 mbar (mbar) to about 1050 mbar. For example, the relative humidity is about 20%, about 21%, about 22%, about 23%, about 24%, about 25%, about 26%, about 27%, about 28%, about 29%, about 30%, About 31%, about 32%, about 33%, about 34%, about 35%, about 36%, about 37%, about 38%, about 39%, about 40%, about 41%, about 42%, about 43 %, About 44%, About 45%, About 46%, About 47%, About 48%, About 49%, About 50%, About 51%, About 52%, About 53%, About 54%, About 55%, About 56%, about 57%, about 58%, about 59%, about 60%, about 61%, about 62%, about 63%, about 64%, about 65%, about 66%, about 67%, about 68 %, About 69%, About 70%, About 71%, About 72%, About 73%, About 74%, About 75%, About 76%, About 77%, About 78%, About 79%, About 80%, About 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87%, about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93 %, About 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, about 100%, or somewhere in between. For example, the atmospheric pressure is about 975 mbar, about 980 mbar, about 985 mbar, about 990 mbar, about 995 mbar, about 1000 mbar, about 1005 mbar, about 1010 mbar, about 1015 mbar, about 1020 mbar, about 1025 mbar, about 1030 mbar, about 1035 mbar, about 1035 mbar, about 1035 mbar. It can be either 1050 bar or between them. Surrounding conditions can vary from position to location, just as what is "surrounding" at one location may differ from what is "surrounding" at another location. Therefore, the surroundings are not at a constant temperature or set range.

All scopes disclosed herein are understood to include any and all subranges contained therein. For example, the range described as "1-10" is any and all subranges between (and including) the minimum value 1 and the maximum value 10, ie, a minimum value of 1 or more, eg It should be considered to include all subranges starting with 1-6.1 and ending with a maximum of 10 or less, for example 5.5-10. Unless otherwise stated, the expression "to" when referring to the composition of an element means that the element is optional and includes a zero percent composition of that particular element. Unless otherwise stated, all composition percentages are weight percent (% by weight).

As used herein, the meaning of "one (a)", "one (an)" or "the" is a singular and plural reference unless explicitly stated otherwise in the context. including.

The alloys described herein can be cast using any suitable casting method known to those of skill in the art. As some non-limiting examples, the casting process may include a direct chill (DC) casting process or a continuous casting (CC) process. A continuous casting system may include a pair of moving facing casting surfaces (eg, moving facing belts, rolls or blocks), a casting cavity between a pair of moving facing casting surfaces, and a molten metal injector. The molten metal injector can have an end opening from which the molten metal can exit the molten metal injector and be injected into the casting cavity. In some cases, aspects of the present disclosure may be particularly suitable for use with continuously cast metal articles.

The aluminum alloy products described herein may be used for automotive applications, as well as other transportation applications, including aviation and rail applications, or any other suitable application. For example, the disclosed aluminum alloy products include bumpers, side beams, roof beams, cross beams, pillar reinforcements (eg, A-pillars, B-pillars, and C-pillars), inner panels, outer panels, side panels, inner hoods, etc. It can be used to prepare automobile structural parts such as outer hoods and trunk lid panels. The disclosed aluminum alloy products and methods can also be used in aircraft or rail vehicle applications, for example, to prepare outer and inner panels. Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure can provide metallic articles with improved surface quality and metallurgy, which can result in improved bonding capabilities and moldability, which can be combined with others. Similarly, it may be particularly desirable for any of the uses referred to herein.

The aluminum alloy products and methods described herein can also be used in electronics applications. For example, the aluminum alloy products and methods described herein can be used to prepare housings for electronic devices, including mobile phones and tablet computers. In some examples, aluminum alloy products can be used to prepare housings for the outer casings of mobile phones (eg, smartphones), tablet bottom chassis, and other portable electronic devices.

These exemplary examples are provided to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts. The following sections describe various additional features and examples with reference to the drawings, in which similar numbers indicate similar elements and directional descriptions provide exemplary embodiments. It is used to illustrate, but it should not be used to limit this disclosure, as in the exemplary embodiments. The elements included in the examples herein may not be drawn in reduced ratio and certain dimensions may be exaggerated for the purposes of the illustration.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation showing a processing line 100 for continuous heat treatment according to a specific aspect of the present disclosure. The processing line 100 can be a heat treatment line for processing the metal strip 120 or other metal articles. The metal strip may advance downstream 146 through various zones or elements of the machining line 100. In some cases, the machining line 100 includes each of the zones shown in FIG. 1, but not necessarily so. Any suitable combination of zones can be used. In some cases, the processing line 100 includes at least a heating zone 106, a soaking zone 108, and a quenching zone 110. In some cases, the processing line 100 also includes at least a reheating zone 114. The arrangement of zones and / or elements can be adjusted as desired, but certain embodiments of the present disclosure include quenching zones 110 immediately after soaking zone 108, which is immediately after heating zone 106.

The metal strip 120 can first be unwound from the starter coil by the anchorer 102. The anchorer may allow the metal strip 120 to pass through the tension adjusting zone 104. Within the tension adjustment zone 104, an array of magnetic rotors can levitate the metal strip 120 and control the tension of the metal strip. During plate threading operation, the tension adjusting zone 104 increases the tension of the metal strip 120 (eg, increasing the tension from left to right in the downstream direction 146), but during a standard heat treatment process, the tension adjusting zone 104 , Reduce the tension of the metal strip 120 (eg, reduce it at a constant rate).

In some cases, the welded or joined zone 170 may be juxtaposed with the tension adjusting zone. The welding or joining zone 170 can include a mobile welder or other joining device capable of welding or joining the free ends of the continuous metal strip, with the machining line 100 continuous through multiple coils of the metal strip 120. Allows you to work with.

The metal strip 120 may pass through a heating zone 106, where an array of one or more magnetic rotors can heat and levitate the metal strip 120. The metal strip 120 can be heated to a desired temperature, such as the solution temperature. The metal strip 120 leaving the heating zone 106 at a desired temperature can enter the soaking zone 108, where the temperature of the metal strip 120 (eg peak metal temperature) has a constant duration (eg the duration of 108 in the soaking zone). , Maintained at the desired temperature. The array of one or more magnetic rotors can levitate the metal strip 120 in the soaking zone 108 without requiring fluid-based levitating. In some cases, the soaking zone 108 may include a gas filling chamber through which the metal strip 120 passes, and the gas filling chamber may be filled with an inert gas, minimal reactive gas, or processing gas.

After leaving the soaking zone 108, the metal strip 120 can enter the quenching zone 110, where the metal strip 120 can be rapidly quenched. The quench zone 110 may include one or more coolant nozzles for distributing the coolant onto the metal strip. In addition, the array of magnetic rotors can levitate the metal strip through the quench zone 110. In some cases, a closed-loop flatness control system that includes a sensor for measuring flatness and one or more controls for adjusting the distribution of coolant fluid to achieve the desired flatness. However, it can be used in the quenching zone 110. In some cases, the closed loop flatness control system is downstream of the quench zone 110.

The metal strip 120 may pass through a leveling and / or microtextured zone 112, which may be located downstream of the quench zone 110. In the leveling and / or microtexturing zone 112, the metal strip is designed to level and / or texture the metal strip 120 without significantly or substantially reducing the overall thickness of the metal strip 120. It may pass between pairs of one or more rollers. The array of magnetic rotors can levitate the metal strip 120 in the upstream and downstream leveling and / or microtextured zones 112 of the roller and facilitate control of tension as the metal strip 120 passes through the roller. Can be.

The metal strip 120 may pass through a coating and / or lubrication zone 113, which may be located downstream of the quenching zone 110 and / or downstream of the leveling and / or microtextured zone 112. Upon passing through the coating and / or lubrication zone 113, the metal strip 120 can be coated with any suitable coating and / or lubricated with any suitable lubricant such as a liquid or solid coating and / or lubricant. The array of magnetic rotors can levitate the metal strip 120 through the coating and / or lubrication zone 113.

The metal strip 120 may pass through the reheating zone 114, which may be located downstream of the quenching zone 110 and / or downstream of the leveling and / or microtextured zone 112. And may be located downstream of the coating and / or lubrication zone 113. In the reheating zone 114, the metal strip 120 may be heated to a temperature for winding, storing, and / or aging and the like. In some cases, the reheating zone 114 includes an array of magnets that heat the metal strip 120, but any suitable heating device may be used. An array of one or more magnetic rotors, which may include an array of magnetic rotors for heating the metal strip 120, may levitate the metal strip 120 through the reheating zone 114. In some cases, where the metal strip passes through the coating and / or lubrication zone 113, the reheating zone 114 sufficiently heats the metal strip 120 to cure the coating and / or lubricant and / or flow. To spread evenly without overheating.

The metal strip 120 can be wound into the final coil by the coiler 118. The coiler 118 may accept the heat treated metal strip 120 directly from the quenching zone 110, the reheating zone 114, the final tension adjusting zone 116, or any other suitable zone. A magnetic rotor in the zone immediately upstream, such as the final tension adjustment zone 116, may control the tension of the metal strip 120. In general, these magnetic rotors can increase the tension of the metal strip to facilitate winding by the coiler 118. In some cases, the magnetic rotor can reduce the tension if desired.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a processing line 200 for continuous heat treatment according to a specific aspect of the present disclosure. The processing line 200 is an example of a processing line similar to the processing line 100 of FIG. The anchorer 202 unwinds the metal strip 220, and then the metal strip 220 has a tension adjusting zone 204, a heating zone 206, a soaking zone 208, a quenching zone 210, leveling and / or microtexture before being wound up by the coiler 218. It can be passed through the texture zone 212 as well as the final tension adjustment zone 116.

In close proximity to the anchorer 202, the unwinding roller 222 may direct the metal strip 220 to a desired pass line through the machining line 200. The unwinding roller 222 may also include a load cell for measuring the tension of the metal strip 220. The unwinding roller 222 may provide a tension measurement to the controller 236, which may be used by the controller 236 to achieve the desired tension of the metal strip 220 suitable for unwinding in the tension adjusting zone 204. Magnetic rotor 224 can be controlled. The tension adjustment zone 204 also has a metal strip 220 so that sufficient tension is maintained upstream of the tension adjustment zone 204 for unwinding and downstream of the tension adjustment zone 204 for improved heat treatment. It can act to reduce tension.

In the heating zone 206, the metal strip 220 may pass through the gap between a pair of magnetic rotors 226. As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic rotor 226 for heating may have a larger diameter than the magnetic rotor 224 used for levitation or tension control. The magnetic rotor 226 for heating has other differences from the magnetic rotor 224 for levitation or tension control such as magnetic strength, position, rotation speed, flux concentrator, or as disclosed herein. It can have other differences. As the metal strip 220 passes through the heating zone 206, the metal strip 220 can be heated and levitated by each of the magnetic rotors 226. Upon exiting the heating zone 206, the metal strip 220 can reach a desired temperature, such as the solution temperature. The sensor in heating zone 206 can provide temperature and / or other measurements to controller 236, which uses those measurements to achieve the desired temperature in heating zone 206. The magnetic rotor 226 can be adjusted.

The metal strip 220 may exit the heating zone 206 and enter the soaking zone 208, where the metal strip 220 may pass through the soaking furnace 228. The soaking furnace 228 may be a gas combustion furnace, a hot air furnace, or any other furnace suitable for maintaining the temperature of the metal strip 220. In some cases, the soaking furnace 228 comprises one or more magnetic rotors 224 that optionally provide some heat to allow the metal strips to levitate and maintain the desired temperature. .. The soaking furnace 228 may have sufficient length for the metal strip 220 to maintain the desired duration and the desired temperature at the speed at which the metal strip 220 moves downstream through the soaking furnace 228. .. The sensor in soaking zone 208 may provide temperature and / or other measurements to controller 236, which uses those measurements to ensure that the metal strip 220 is maintained at the desired temperature. Soaking furnace 228 may be adjusted for this purpose.

Upon exiting the soaking zone 208, the metal strip 220 may enter the quenching zone 210. In the quench zone 210, the metal strip 220 can optionally be levitated by an array of magnetic rotors 224. In the quench zone 210, one or more coolant nozzles 230 may distribute the coolant fluid 232 onto the metal strip 220 to rapidly quench the metal strip 220. A sensor in quench zone 210 may provide temperature and / or other measurements to controller 236, which in turn ensures that the desired quenching rate is maintained with a coolant nozzle. 230 can be adjusted. In some cases, the flatness sensor 234 may be positioned in or downstream of the quench zone 210. The measurements from the flatness sensor can be provided to the controller 236, which uses the measurements to distribute over the lateral width of the metal strip 220, which can improve the flatness of the metal strip 220. The coolant nozzle 230 may be adjusted to achieve the desired profile of the coolant fluid 232.

The metal strip 220 may pass through the leveling and / or microtextured zone 112. In the leveling and / or microtexturing zone 112, the metal strip 220 may pass between one or more pairs of leveling and / or microtexturing rollers 238. The leveling roller and / or the microtextured roller 238 may provide the desired texture to the surface of the metal strip 220 and / or facilitate the leveling of the metal strip 220. In some cases, the leveling and / or microtextured zone 112 sensor provides feedback to controller 236, which facilitates the use of its measurements to improve the leveling of the metal strip 220. Leveling and / or microtexturing rollers 238 may be controlled to achieve.

The metal strip 220 may pass through a reheating zone 214, where the metal strip 220 may be heated by a set of magnetic rotors 226. The magnetic rotor 226 in the reheating zone 214 may be smaller than or different from the magnetic rotor 226 in the heating zone 206. In some cases, the magnetic rotor 226 in the reheating zone 214 may be identical to the magnetic rotor 224 used for levitation in other zones. The sensor in the reheating zone 214 may provide the temperature and / or other measurements to the controller 236, which uses the measurements to achieve the desired temperature in the reheating zone 214. The magnetic rotor 226 can be adjusted.

As shown in the machining line 200 of FIG. 2, the reheating zone 214 also acts as a final tension adjusting zone 216. By controlling the magnetic rotor 226 in the reheating zone 214, the tension of the metal strip can be controlled, such as to reheat the metal strip 220 and achieve a tension suitable for rewinding by the coiler 218. The metal strip 220 may pass through the take-up roller 240 before being taken up by the coiler 218. The take-up roller 240 may provide a tension measurement to the controller 236, which may provide a final tension adjustment zone 216 (eg, reheating zone 214) to achieve the tension of the metal strip 220 suitable for take-up. Magnetic rotor 224 can be adjusted. The final tension adjustment zone 216 also maintains low tension upstream of the final tension adjustment zone 216 to improve heat treatment and sufficient tension downstream of the final tension adjustment zone 216 for take-up. , Can act to increase the tension of the metal strip 220.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a processing line 300 for continuous heat treatment with a magnetic soaking furnace 328 according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. The processing line 300 is an example of a processing line similar to the processing line 100 of FIG. The anchorer 302 unwinds the metal strip 320, and then the metal strip 320 unwinds the tension adjusting zone 304 and the heating zone 306, the soaking zone 308, the quenching zone 310, the leveling and / or microtexture before being wound up by the coiler 318. It can be passed through the texture zone 312, as well as the final tension adjustment zone 116.

In close proximity to the anchorer 302, the unwinding roller 322 may direct the metal strip 320 to the desired pass line through the machining line 300. The unwinding roller 322 may also include a load cell for measuring the tension of the metal strip 320. The unwinding roller 322 may provide a tension measurement to the controller 336, which the controller 336 uses to achieve the desired tension on the metal strip 320 suitable for unwinding, the tension adjusting zone 304. The magnetic rotor 326 of (eg, heating zone 306) can be controlled. The tension adjustment zone 304 is also provided on the metal strip 320 so that sufficient tension is maintained upstream of the tension adjustment zone 304 for unwinding and downstream of the tension adjustment zone 304 for improved heat treatment. It can act to reduce tension.

In the heating zone 306, the metal strip 320 may pass through the gap between a pair of magnetic rotors 326. As shown in FIG. 3, the heating magnetic rotor 326 may have a larger diameter than the magnetic rotor 324 used for levitation or tension control. The magnetic rotor 326 for heating has other differences from the magnetic rotor 324 for levitation or tension control such as magnetic strength, position, rotation speed, flux concentrator, or as disclosed herein. It can have other differences. As the metal strip 320 passes through the heating zone 306, the metal strip 320 can be heated and levitated by each of the magnetic rotors 326. Upon exiting the heating zone 306, the metal strip 320 can reach a desired temperature, such as the solution temperature. The sensor in heating zone 306 may provide temperature and / or other measurements to controller 336, which uses those measurements to magnetically rotate the heating zone 306 to achieve the desired temperature. Child 326 can be adjusted.

The metal strip 320 may exit the heating zone 306 and enter the soaking zone 308, where the metal strip 320 may pass through the soaking furnace 328. The soaking furnace 328 can be a magnetic rotor-based furnace for maintaining the temperature of the metal strip 320. An array of magnetic rotors 324 can be positioned adjacent to the metal strip 320 to levitate the metal strip 320 through the soaking zone 308. In some cases, the magnetic rotor 324 may also generate a certain amount of heat to help facilitate the maintenance of the desired temperature of the metal strip. In some cases, the soaking furnace 328 includes, at least in part, a chamber defined by an upper side wall 342 and a lower side wall 344. Side walls may be included, but are not visible in FIG. The chamber may be supplied with gas from the gas supply unit 368. The metal strip 320 may be supported in a gas filling chamber throughout the soaking zone 308. The soaking furnace 328 may have sufficient length for the metal strip 320 to maintain the desired duration and the desired temperature at a rate at which the metal strip 320 moves downstream through the soaking furnace 328 in the downstream direction 346. .. The sensor in soaking zone 308 may provide temperature and / or other measurements to controller 336, which uses those measurements to ensure that the metal strip 320 is maintained at the desired temperature. Soaking furnace 328 may be adjusted to do so. Such adjustments include adjusting the temperature of the gas supply 368, adjusting one or more magnetic rotors 324 in the soaking zone 308, adjusting one or more coolant nozzles in the gas filling chamber, or the like. May include performing the actions of.

Upon exiting the soaking zone 308, the metal strip 320 may enter the quenching zone 310. In the quench zone 310, the metal strip 320 can optionally be levitated by an array of magnetic rotors 324. In the quench zone 310, one or more coolant nozzles 330 may distribute the coolant fluid 332 onto the metal strip 320 to rapidly quench the metal strip 320. The sensor in quench zone 310 may provide temperature and / or other measurements to controller 336, which in turn ensures that the desired quenching rate is maintained. 330 can be adjusted. In some cases, the flatness sensor 334 may be positioned in or downstream of the quench zone 310. The measurements from the flatness sensor can be provided to the controller 336, which uses the measurements to distribute over the lateral width of the metal strip 320, which can improve the flatness of the metal strip 320. The coolant nozzle 330 may be adjusted to achieve the desired profile of the coolant fluid 332.

The metal strip 320 may pass through the leveling and / or microtextured zone 112. In the leveling and / or microtexturing zone 112, the metal strip 320 may pass between one or more pairs of leveling and / or microtexturing rollers 338. The leveling roller and / or the microtextured roller 338 may provide the desired texture to the surface of the metal strip 320 and / or facilitate the leveling of the metal strip 320. In some cases, the leveling and / or microtextured zone 112 sensor provides feedback to controller 336, which facilitates the use of its measurements to improve the leveling of the metal strip 320. Leveling and / or microtexturing rollers 338 may be controlled to achieve.

The metal strip 320 may pass through the reheating zone 314, where the metal strip 320 may be heated by a set of magnetic rotors 326. The magnetic rotor 326 of the reheating zone 314 is from the magnetic rotor 326 of the heating zone 306. May be smaller or otherwise different from the magnetic rotor 326. In some cases, the magnetic rotor 326 in the reheating zone 314 can be identical to the magnetic rotor 324 used for levitation in other zones. The sensor in the reheating zone 314 may provide the temperature and / or other measurements to the controller 336, which uses the measurements to achieve the desired temperature in the reheating zone 314. The magnetic rotor 326 can be adjusted.

As shown in the machining line 300 of FIG. 3, the reheating zone 314 also acts as a final tension adjusting zone 316. By controlling the magnetic rotor 326 of the reheating zone 314, the tension of the metal strip can be controlled, such as to reheat the metal strip 320 and achieve a tension suitable for rewinding by the coiler 318. The metal strip 320 may pass through the take-up roller 340 before being taken up by the coiler 318. The take-up roller 340 may provide a tension measurement to the controller 336, which may provide a final tension adjustment zone 316 (eg, reheating zone 314) to achieve the tension of the metal strip 320 suitable for take-up. Magnetic rotor 324 can be adjusted. The final tension adjustment zone 316 also maintains low tension upstream of the final tension adjustment zone 316 to improve heat treatment and sufficient tension downstream of the final tension adjustment zone 316 for take-up. , Can act to increase the tension of the metal strip 320.

FIG. 4 is a combination of a schematic diagram showing a heating zone 406 and a soaking zone 408 of a machining line and a temperature chart 448 according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. The temperature chart 448 is aligned with the heating zone 406 and the soaking zone 408 to display the approximate temperature 450 (eg, peak metal temperature) of the metal strip 420 at different times and / or distances along the machining line. The heating zone 406 and soaking zone 408 of FIG. 4 can be the heating zone 106 and soaking zone 108 of FIG. The metal strip 420 may travel downstream 446 through the heating zone 406 and the soaking zone 408.

In heating zone 406, the array of magnetic rotors 426 can heat the metal strip 420 to raise the temperature of the metal strip 420. The array of magnetic rotors 426 includes pairs of six magnetic rotors 436 spaced longitudinally apart from each other, with each pair of magnetic rotors 436 facing the upper magnetic rotors on either side of the metal strip 420 and the upper magnetic rotors. Includes bottom magnetic rotor. In some cases, the array of magnetic rotors 426 may include other numbers of magnetic rotors in other configurations and / or orientations. Temperature chart 448 shows that the temperature 450 of the metal strip 420 rises as the metal strip 420 passes through each of the pairs of magnetic rotors 436. The temperature 450 of the metal strip 420 rises from the inlet temperature 454 to the desired set temperature 452 (eg, solution temperature) in the heating zone 406.

In the soaking zone 408, an array of magnetic rotors 424 levitates the metal strip 420, allowing the metal strip 420 to be soaked for the desired duration at the desired set temperature 452. An optional coolant dispenser can be used to help maintain the temperature 450 at the desired set temperature 452 to offset any heating effects from the array of magnetic rotors 424. An array of magnetic rotors 424 may include several magnetic rotors 424, such as 31 magnetic rotors 424. Each magnetic rotor 424 is less than the full width of the metal strip 420 (eg, approximately 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60% of the lateral width of the metal strip 420, One or more laterally spaced magnetism occupying 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, or 10%, or less) May include sources.

The chamber for confining the inert atmosphere can be partially defined by an upper wall 442 and a lower wall 444, as well as a side wall (not shown). The upper side wall 442 and the lower side wall 444, and optionally each of the side walls, can be made of non-conductive and adiabatic material. The metal strip 420 may pass between the upper side wall 442 and the lower side wall 444 as it travels through the heating device 400. The magnetic rotor 426 in heating zone 406 and the magnetic rotor 424 in soaking zone 408 can be positioned outside the chamber from the metal strip 420, as opposed to the upper side wall 442 and / or the lower side wall 444. As shown in FIG. 4, the chamber walls 442 and 444 extend longitudinally over the entire heating zone 406 and soaking zone 408. In some other cases, as shown in FIG. 3, the chamber wall does not have to extend within the heating zone. The soaking zone 408 may be long enough to achieve the desired soaking duration of 456. The soaking duration 456 may be the duration of time during which the peak metal temperature of the metal strip 420 is at or near the desired set temperature 452.

FIG. 5 is a fractured side view of the permanent magnetic rotor 500 according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. The permanent magnetic rotor 500 is an example of a magnetic rotor such as the magnetic rotors 224 and 226 of FIG. The magnetic rotor 500 may include one or more magnetic sources 550. As seen in FIG. 5, the magnetic rotor 500 includes eight magnetic sources 550, which are permanent magnets. The magnets can be arranged in any suitable orientation. The magnetic source 550 may be arranged such that adjacent permanent magnets provide different poles (eg, alternating N, S, N, S, N, S, N, S) that point radially outward. .. Any suitable permanent magnet such as samarium cobalt, neodymium, or other magnets can be used. In some cases, samarium-cobalt magnets may be preferable to neodymium magnets, because samarium-cobalt magnets can reduce magnetic field strength more slowly with higher heat. However, in some cases, neodymium magnets may be preferable to samarium-cobalt magnets because they have stronger magnetic field strength at lower temperatures.

The magnetic source 550 may be surrounded by a shell 552. The shell 552 can be any suitable material that allows magnetic flux to pass through. In some cases, the shell 552 may be made of a non-metallic coating or may further comprise it. In some cases, the shell 552 may include a Kevlar® or Kevlar® mixed coating. In some cases, the shell 552 may include a portion designed to reorient the bundle because the permanent magnetic rotor 500 has a non-uniform magnetic flux profile along the length of the magnetic rotor.

In some cases, the magnetic rotor 500 may include a ferromagnetic core 554 with a central axis 556. The magnetic rotor 500 may include other internal configurations suitable for supporting the magnetic source 550. It has been found that any suitable number of magnetic sources 550 can be used, but efficient results can be achieved with an even number of magnetic sources 550, such as 6 or 8 magnetic sources 550.

The magnetic source 550 can be sized to cover any proportion of the circumference of the magnetic rotor 500. Efficient results can be achieved with a magnetic source 550 sized to occupy approximately 40% to 95%, 50% to 90%, or 70% to 80% of the circumference of the magnetic rotor 500. ..

The magnetic rotor 500 can be formed to any suitable size, but efficient results can be achieved with rotors having a diameter of 200 mm to 600 mm, at least 300 mm, at least 400 mm, at least 500 mm, or about 600 mm. It turned out.

The thickness of each magnetic source 550 can be any suitable thickness that can fit within the magnetic rotor 500, but 15 mm, 15-100 mm, 15-40 mm, 20-40 mm, 25-35 mm, 30 mm, Alternatively, it has been found that efficient results can be achieved using permanent magnet thicknesses of 50 mm, or at least those ranges. Other thicknesses can also be used.

Trial and error has determined that very efficient heating forces can be obtained with 6 or 8 magnets positioned around a single rotor, but other numbers of magnets have also been used. obtain. If too many magnets are used, the heating power can be reduced. In some cases, the number of magnets may be chosen to minimize installation and / or maintenance costs (eg, the number of magnets to purchase). In some cases, the number of magnets may be selected to minimize tension fluctuations that occur in the metal strip due to the movement of magnets adjacent to the metal strip. For example, very few magnets can cause larger and / or longer tension fluctuations, while more magnets can cause smaller and / or shorter fluctuations. Very efficient by trial and error when the magnet occupies 40% to 95% of the circumference of the rotor, more specifically 50% to 90% or 70% to 80% of the circumference of the rotor. It was determined that a good heating force and / or levitation could be obtained. By trial and error, it has been determined that a very efficient heating force can be obtained when the rotor diameter is large, for example 200, 300, 400, 500, or 600 mm, or larger. In addition, the use of larger rotors can help minimize the cost of the magnet. In some cases, smaller rotors (eg, 600, 500, 400, 300, or 200 mm in diameter, or less) may be particularly suitable for levitating metal articles, whereas larger rotations. The child may be particularly suitable for heating metal articles.

The heating force tends to increase as the speed of the rotor increases. However, in some cases, when the rotor speed reaches a threshold level, further speed increases will adversely affect heating efficiency due to the inherent inductance and resistivity characteristics of the metal strip. At or near 1800 rpm (eg, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15 at 1800 rpm). % Or in the range of 20%), in part, it can be the desired speed due to the ease of controlling the rotor motor at the frequency of 60Hz found in mains at various locations. It has been determined. In some cases, other frequencies may be selected based on the rotor motor used and / or the mains supplied. Rotor velocity can be a useful method for controlling the amount of thermal energy applied to a metal strip, but it maintains a constant rotor velocity and uses vertical clearance control and other controls. It was determined that it could be advantageous to adjust the amount of heat energy applied to the metal strip.

By trial and error, it was determined that a very efficient heating force can be obtained when the thickness of the permanent magnet in the rotor is between 15-40 mm, 20-40 mm, or 25-35 mm, or at or near 30 mm. Was done. A thicker magnet can provide a strong heating force, but if a magnet within the above range is used, a sufficiently strong heating force can be provided while suppressing the installation / maintenance cost of the magnet.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process 600 for continuously heat treating a metal strip according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. Process 600 can be performed using the machining line 100 of FIG. 1 or a similar machining line. In some cases, process 600 may include more or less elements than those shown in FIG. 6, as well as elements in a different order. In some cases, process 600 may include at least blocks 606, 608, and 610. In some cases, process 600 may further include at least block 614.

At block 602, the metal strip can be unwound. In some cases, unwinding the metal strip may include controlling the tension of the magnetic strip in block 604, such as by using a magnetic rotor. At block 606, the metal strip can be heated, such as by using a magnetic rotor. In some cases, heating the metal strip in block 606 may also include using a magnetic rotor to levitate the metal strip.

At block 608, the metal strip can be levitated in the soaking zone. In some cases, the metal strip can be levitated in the soaking zone using an array of magnetic rotors. The temperature of the metal strip (eg, peak metal temperature) can be maintained at or near the desired temperature (eg, solution temperature) while being levitated in the soaking zone. In some cases, the metal strip can be levitated in the soaking zone within the gas filling chamber. The gas filling chamber can be filled with an inert gas, a minimal reactive gas, or a processing gas.

At block 610, the metal strip can be oriented to a quenching zone where the metal strip is rapidly quenched, such as at a rate of about 200 ° C./sec or near. The metal strip can be levitated, for example by using an array of magnetic rotors. In some cases, quenching the metal strip at block 610 may include controlling flatness by closed loop feedback.

At block 612, the metal strip can be leveled and / or microtextured by passing the metal strip through a leveling roller and / or a microtextured roller. In some cases, the metal strip can be levitated by an array of magnetic rotors in positions adjacent to the leveling rollers and / or microtextured rollers. In some cases, levitating the metal strips at these positions may include controlling the tension of the metal strips as they pass through the leveling and / or microtextured lorrel.

At block 613, the metal strip can be coated and / or lubricated. Coating and / or lubricating the metal strip may include using an array of magnetic rotors to levitate the metal strip. Coating and / or lubricating a metal strip may include coating the metal strip with a fluid or solid material containing a lubricant.

At block 614, the metal strip can be reheated. Reheating the metal strip may include passing the metal strip adjacent to an array of magnetic rotors. In some cases, the metal strip can be levitated by an array of magnetic rotors during reheating. In some cases, reheating the metal strip at block 614 may include curing the coating on the metal strip or facilitating the flow of lubricant on the metal strip.

At block 618, the metal strip can be wound up. The metal strip can be wound around the final coil as a heat treated metal strip. In some cases, winding the metal strip may include controlling the tension of the magnetic strip in block 616, such as by using a magnetic rotor.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process 700 for passing a metal strip through a continuous heat treatment line according to a specific aspect of the present disclosure. Process 700 can be used with the machining line 100 of FIG. 1 or a similar machining line. Process 700 can be made possible by using magnetic rotors to levitate the metal strips at various positions along the machining line.

At block 702, one or more magnetic rotors can be rotated downstream. Any or all magnetic rotors on the machining line can be rotated downstream. In some cases, rotating the magnetic rotor downstream can cause one or more upper magnetic rotors (eg, rotors located above a metal strip) to be replaced by one or more lower magnetic rotors (eg, a rotor located above a metal strip). It may include rotating at a higher speed than, for example, a rotor located below the metal strip).

At block 704, the free end of the metal strip can be levitated adjacent to the magnetic rotor. Rotating the magnetic rotor in block 702 can facilitate the levitation of the free end of the metal strip in block 704. In some cases, levitating the free end of the metal strip may further include attaching the free end of the metal strip to a carriage or other support. At block 706, the free end of the metal strip can be conveyed through the machining line. Transporting the free end of the metal strip through the machining line may include transporting the free end of the metal strip through one or more elements of the machining line. In some cases, transporting the free end of the metal strip through the machining line may involve using a carriage to urge the free end of the metal strip through the machining line.

At block 708, one or more magnetic rotors can be rotated upstream. The one or more magnetic rotors may include one or more magnetic rotors adjacent to the anchorer. Rotating the magnetic rotor upstream can occur after the metal strip has been completely threaded through the machining line.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an initial step of passing a metal strip 820 through a continuous heat treatment line according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. In the initial stage of threading, the magnetic rotor 824 can be rotated in the downstream direction 846. Rotation of the magnetic rotor 824 in the downstream direction 846 may facilitate maintaining a relatively high tension on the metal strip 820 upstream of the free end 859 of the metal strip. In some cases, an optional carriage 858 may be detachably coupled to the metal strip 820 to facilitate transport of the metal strip 820 through the machining line. The optional carriage 858 may be supported to move along a machining line, such as along one or more rails.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a secondary step of passing a metal strip 920 through a continuous heat treatment line according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. In the secondary stage of the threading plate, the magnetic rotor 924 may continue to rotate in the downstream direction 946. Rotation of the magnetic rotor 924 in the downstream direction 946 may continue to facilitate maintaining a relatively high tension on the metal strip 920 upstream of the free end 959 of the metal strip. In some cases, the optional carriage 958 detachably coupled to the metal strip 920 may facilitate transport of the metal strip 920 through the machining line. The optional carriage 958 may be supported to move along a machining line, such as along one or more rails. The optional carriage 958 may be oriented downstream 946 to carry the metal strip 920.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a metal strip 1020 after being threaded through a continuous heat treatment line according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. After the metal strip 1020 is completely threaded or the metal strip 1020 is at least substantially threaded (eg, at least 50% threaded through a machining line), the one or more magnetic rotors 1024 are inverted. It can be rotated in the upstream direction opposite to the downstream direction 1046. The upstream rotation of the magnetic rotor may facilitate maintaining low tension in the metal strip downstream of the magnetic rotor rotating upstream. In some cases, the magnetic rotor rotating upstream may be upstream of the heating zone so that the metal strip 1020 is maintained at relatively low tension while in the heating zone.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing the metal strip 1120 and subsequent metal strips 1121 in the pre-welding stage according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. In the top view, the metal strip 1120 and subsequent metal strips 1121 are shown to be levitated above the array of magnetic rotors 1124. The magnetic rotor 1124 shown in FIG. 11 can be a tension adjusting zone or welding / joining zone magnetic rotor 1124 that can be located downstream of the anchorer and upstream of the heating zone.

Longitudinal moveable joiners, such as the welder 1170, may otherwise be suspended downwards, but above the metal strips 1120 and subsequent metal strips 1121. The movable welder 1170 can move in the downstream direction 1146. The metal strip 1120 and subsequent metal strips 1121 can also move downstream in 1146. In some cases, the metal strip 1120 and subsequent metal strip 1121 may move downstream 1146 at a rate lower than the normal operating rate for heat treating the metal strip. In the pre-welding stage, the tip 1178 (eg, downstream end) of the subsequent metal strip 1121 can be moved towards the rear end 1180 (eg, upstream end) of the metal strip 1120.

FIG. 12 is a schematic top view showing a metal strip 1220 and subsequent metal strips 1221 at the welding or joining step according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. In the top view, the metal strip 1220 and the subsequent metal strip 1221 are shown to be levitated above the array of magnetic rotors 1224. The magnetic rotor 1224 shown in FIG. 12 can be a tension adjusting zone or welding / joining zone magnetic rotor 1224 that can be located downstream of the anchorer and upstream of the heating zone.

In the welding or joining step, the joining portion 1272 can be formed in close proximity, such as by bringing the tip of the subsequent metal strip 1221 and the rear end of the metal strip 1220 into contact with each other. A mobile joiner, such as the moveable welder 1270, is suspended above (or below) the joint 1272 and moves downstream 1246 at the same or approximately the same speed as the metal strip 1220 and subsequent metal strip 1221. Can be done. Thus, the movable welder 1270 may remain in place with respect to the joint 1272 while the metal strip 1220 is in progress. The movable welder 1270 may weld or otherwise join the metal strip 1220 to the subsequent metal strip 1221 at the joint 1272, such as by any suitable technique.

FIG. 13 is a schematic top view showing the metal strip 1320 and subsequent metal strip 1321 in the post-weld stage according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. In the top view, the metal strip 1320 and the subsequent metal strip 1321 are shown to be levitated above the array of magnetic rotors 1324. The magnetic rotor 1324 shown in FIG. 13 can be a tension adjusting zone or welding / joining zone magnetic rotor 1324 that can be located downstream of the anchorer and upstream of the heating zone.

In the post-weld stage, the subsequent metal strip 1321 and metal strip 1320 are welded or otherwise joined at the joint, resulting in a welded portion 1374 between the subsequent metal strip 1321 and the metal strip 1320. The movable welder 1370 may stop moving in the downstream direction 1346, such as returning to the stowed position. In the post-weld stage, the metal strip 1320 and subsequent metal strip 1321 move downstream 1346 at a faster speed than the welding stage, for example, at or near normal operating speed for heat treating the metal strip 1320. You can get started.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating a process 1400 for joining a metal strip to a subsequent metal strip while the metal strip is in progress, according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. At block 1402, the metal strip can be moved downstream. Moving the metal strip downstream may include levitating the metal strip onto an array of magnetic rotors. At block 1404, the tip of the subsequent metal strip can be moved towards the rear end of the metal strip until the ends abut each other to form a joint. Subsequent metal strips may begin unwinding approximately as soon as the metal strip stops unwinding. At block 1406, the mobile welder can be passed between the metal strip and the subsequent metal strip adjacent to the joint (eg, above or below). The mobile welder can be passed adjacent to the joint while the metal strip is moving downstream. When the mobile welder is adjacent to the joint, the mobile welder may continue to move at the same speed as the joint (eg, the same speed as the metal strip). At block 1408, the mobile welder may weld or otherwise join the joints while the metal strip is in progress.

FIG. 15 is a schematic partial fracture top surface of a cross section of a machining line showing a metal strip 1520 levitated above an array of magnetic rotors 1524 with laterally spaced magnetic sources 1576 according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. It is a figure. Each of the magnetic rotors 1524 may include two or more magnetic sources 1576, such as permanent magnets, that are laterally spaced apart (eg, along the length of the magnetic rotor 1524). Each of the magnetic sources 1576 shown in FIG. 15 can be an array of magnetic sources (eg, one or more magnetic sources). The laterally spaced magnetic source 1576 of the magnetic rotor 1524 may be offset with respect to the laterally spaced magnetic source 1576 of the immediately following magnetic rotor 1524. The lateral and longitudinal spacing between the magnetic sources 1567 of the array of magnetic rotors can facilitate the levitation of the metal strip 1520 without substantially heating the metal strip. In some cases, the magnetic rotor 1524 of FIG. 15 can be similar to the magnetic rotor 224 of FIG.

FIG. 16 is a schematic partial fracture top view of a cross section of a machining line showing a metal strip 1620 levitated above an array of magnetic rotors 1626 with a magnetic source 1676 close to full width, according to a particular aspect of the present disclosure. .. Each of the magnetic rotors 1626 can be a magnetic source 1676 extending at least across the lateral width of the metal strip 1520. In some cases, the magnetic source 1676 may extend over the entire length of the magnetic rotor 1626. Each of the magnetic sources 1676 shown in FIG. 16 can be an array of magnetic sources (eg, one or more magnetic sources). A magnetic rotor 1626 with a full-width or near-full-width magnetic source 1676 can be particularly useful for levitating the metal strip 1520 while simultaneously providing a certain amount of heating to the metal strip 1520. In some cases, the magnetic rotor 1626 of FIG. 16 can be similar to the magnetic rotor 226 of FIG.

The above description of an embodiment, including the exemplary embodiments, is presented for purposes of illustration and illustration only and is not intended to be inclusive or limited to the exact form disclosed. .. A large number of these modifications, fits, and uses will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

As used below, any reference to a series of examples should be understood diametrically as a reference to each of those examples (eg, "Examples 1 to 4" are "Implementations". It should be understood as "Example 1, 2, 3, or 4").

Example 1 is a heat treatment line, a heating zone for receiving a metal strip moving downstream, in which the heating zone induces a vortex current in the metal strip to heat the metal strip to a peak metal temperature. A heating zone and metal, each of which comprises a plurality of magnetic rotators for rotating around an axis of rotation perpendicular to the downstream direction and parallel to the lateral width of the metal strip. A soaking zone located downstream of the heating zone to accept the strip and maintain the peak metal temperature for a constant duration, and downstream of the soaking zone to rapidly quench the metal strip from the peak metal temperature. It has a positioned quenching zone.

The second embodiment is the heat treatment line of the first embodiment, in which a plurality of magnetic rotors include a plurality of magnetic rotor pairs, and each of the magnetic rotor pairs is positioned from the upper magnetic rotor in the opposite direction to the metal strip. Includes bottom magnetic rotor.

Example 3 is the heat treatment line of Example 1 or 2, wherein each of the plurality of magnetic rotors includes a plurality of permanent magnets positioned to rotate about an axis of rotation.

Example 4 is the heat treatment line of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the soaking zone includes a plurality of additional magnetic rotors for levitating the metal strip, and each of the additional plurality of magnetic rotors is in the downstream direction. Rotates around a axis of rotation perpendicular to and parallel to the lateral width of the metal strip.

Example 5 is the heat treatment line of Example 4, because the soaking zone further includes a chamber wall positioned between the metal strip and additional magnetic rotors so that the chamber wall receives the metal strip. The chamber is defined and the chamber can be connected to the gas supply.

Example 6 is the heat treatment line of Example 4 or 5, wherein the soaking zone is one or more coolings to offset the temperature rise induced in the metal strip by the rotation of the additional magnetic rotors. Includes more devices.

Example 7 is the heat treatment line of Examples 1 to 6, for controlling the flatness of the metal strip and the quencher positioned upstream of the heating zone for providing the metal strip from the coil to the heating zone. A leveling roller positioned downstream of the quenching zone and a reheating zone positioned downstream of the leveling roller for heating the metal strip, the reheating zone having one or more additional magnetic rotations. It further comprises a reheating zone, including the offspring.

Example 8 is the heat treatment line of Examples 1 to 7, further comprising a tension adjusting zone for adjusting the tension of the metal strip, the tension adjusting zone being perpendicular to the downstream direction and lateral to the metal strip. Includes one or more magnetic rotors that can rotate around a axis of rotation parallel to the width of.

Example 9 is the heat treatment line of Examples 1 to 8, in which an anchorer positioned upstream of the heating zone for providing the metal strip from the starter coil to the heating zone and the metal strip are received after the heat treatment and the metal is used. Further provided with a recoiler positioned downstream of the quench zone for winding the strip to the termination coil, a pass line is defined between the encoyler and the recoiler, along which the metal strip passes through the accumulator. Pass through the heating zone, soaking zone, and quenching zone without doing so.

Example 10 is the heat treatment line of Examples 1-9, further comprising a mobile welder positioned upstream of the heating zone for welding subsequent metal strips to the metal strips while the metal strips are in progress.

The eleventh embodiment is a method of continuous heat treatment, in which a metal strip is passed adjacent to a plurality of magnetic rotors in the downstream direction and a plurality of magnetic rotors are rotated, whereby the magnetic rotors are rotated. Rotating multiple magnetic rotators involves rotating the magnetic rotator around a axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the downstream direction and parallel to the lateral width of the metal strip. To heat the metal strip to the peak metal temperature, inducing a vortex current in the metal strip, rotating and passing the metal strip through the soaking zone, and passing the metal strip through the soaking zone, is the metal strip. Includes passing through and quenching the metal strip from the peak metal temperature, including maintaining the peak metal temperature of the metal for a constant duration.

The twelfth embodiment is the method of the eleventh embodiment, wherein the plurality of magnetic rotators include a plurality of magnetic rotator pairs, and each of the magnetic rotator pairs has a bottom magnetic rotator separated by a gap and a top magnetism. Passing the metal strip adjacent to the plurality of magnetic rotors, including the rotor, includes passing the metal strip through the gaps of the plurality of magnetic rotor pairs.

The thirteenth embodiment is the method of the eleventh or twelfth embodiment, and rotating the magnetic rotor among the plurality of magnetic rotors includes rotating the plurality of permanent magnets around a rotation axis.

Example 14 is the method of Examples 11-13, wherein passing the metal strip through the soaking zone involves levitation of the metal strip, and levitation of the metal strip is an additional addition adjacent to the metal strip. Includes rotating multiple magnetic rotors.

Example 15 is the method of Example 14, where passing the metal strip through the soaking zone is defined by a chamber wall positioned between the metal strip and additional magnetic rotors. Includes passing through the chamber and supplying gas from the gas supply to the chamber.

Example 16 is the method of Example 14 or 15, where maintaining the peak metal temperature cools the metal strip to offset the temperature rise induced in the metal strip by the rotation of multiple additional magnetic rotors. Includes applying fluid.

Example 17 is the method of Examples 11-16, in which the metal strip is unwound from the starter coil, the metal strip is hardened and then the metal strip is leveled, and the metal strip is leveled and then the metal. Reheating the strip, further comprising reheating the metal strip, rotating and reheating one or more additional magnetic rotors adjacent to the metal strip.

Example 18 is the method of Examples 11 to 17, further comprising passing a metal strip through, and passing the metal strip is to rotate the magnetic rotor in the downstream direction, which is magnetic. The rotor is selected from a group consisting of a set of multiple magnetic rotors and additional magnetic rotors, rotating, passing the end of the metal strip by the magnetic rotor, and passing the magnetic rotor. Includes reversing the rotation of the magnetic rotor in order to rotate it upstream.

Example 19 is the method of Examples 11-18, after unwinding the metal strip from the starter coil and quenching the metal strip before passing the metal strip adjacent to a plurality of magnetic rotors. , Rewinding the metal strip to the termination coil, where the metal strip of the termination coil is heat treated, between rewinding and unwinding the metal strip and rewinding the metal strip. Further includes not passing the accumulator.

Example 20 is the method of Examples 11-19, further comprising joining the metal strips to subsequent metal strips, joining the metal strips during the progress of the metal strips and subsequent metal strips. Includes abutting the metal strips at the joints, passing a mobile joining device over the joints while the metal strips are in progress, and joining the joints while the metal strips are in progress. ..

Example 21 is the method of Examples 11-20, further comprising at least one of coating or lubricating the metal strip and then reheating the coated or lubricated metal strip.

Claims (18)

It is a heat treatment line
A heating zone for receiving metal strips moving downstream,
A soaking zone located downstream of the heating zone to receive the metal strip and maintain the peak metal temperature for a constant duration.
A quenching zone located downstream of the soaking zone for rapidly quenching the metal strip from the peak metal temperature.
The heating zone comprises a plurality of magnetic rotors for inducing eddy currents in the metal strip to heat the metal strip to peak metal temperature and the soaking zone for levitating the metal strip. , Equipped with additional multiple magnetic rotors,
Each of the heating zone and the magnetic rotor of the soaking zone is arranged to rotate about a rotation axis perpendicular to the downstream direction and parallel to the lateral width of the metal strip.
Each magnetic rotor in the soaking zone consists of a plurality of laterally spaced magnetic sources, and the lateral position of the magnetic source within the continuous magnetic rotors of the soaking zone is lateral to the magnetic rotor immediately following. A heat treatment line that is offset from each other with respect to directionally spaced magnetic sources, resulting in a staggered array of magnetic sources. The plurality of magnetic rotors include a plurality of magnetic rotor pairs, and each of the plurality of magnetic rotor pairs comprises a bottom magnetic rotor positioned opposite to the metal strip from the top magnetic rotor. The heat treatment line according to claim 1. The heat treatment line according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of magnetic rotors comprises a plurality of permanent magnets positioned to rotate around the axis of rotation. The soaking zone further comprises a chamber wall positioned between the metal strip and the additional magnetic rotors, the chamber wall defining a chamber for receiving the metal strip, and the chamber The heat treatment line according to claim 1, which can be connected to a gas supply unit. The heat treatment line according to claim 1, wherein the soaking zone further comprises one or more cooling devices for offsetting the temperature rise induced in the metal strip by the rotation of the additional plurality of magnetic rotors. .. An anchorer positioned upstream of the heating zone to provide the metal strip from the coil to the heating zone.
A leveling roller positioned downstream of the quenching zone to control the flatness of the metal strip.
Further, a reheating zone positioned downstream of the leveling roller for heating the metal strip, wherein the reheating zone comprises one or more additional magnetic rotors. The heat treatment line according to claim 1. A tension adjusting zone is further provided for adjusting the tension of the metal strip, and the tension adjusting zone rotates around a rotation axis perpendicular to the downstream direction and parallel to the lateral width of the metal strip. The heat treatment line according to claim 1, further comprising one or more possible magnetic rotors. An anchorer positioned upstream of the heating zone for providing the metal strip from the starter coil to the heating zone, and the metal strip for receiving the metal strip after heat treatment and winding the metal strip around the termination coil. Further comprising a recoiler positioned downstream of the quenching zone, a passage line is defined between the encoyler and the recoiler along which the metal strips pass through the accumulator and the heating zone. The heat treatment line according to claim 1, which passes through the soaking zone and the quenching zone. The heat treatment line according to claim 1, further comprising a mobile welder positioned upstream of the heating zone for welding a subsequent metal strip to the metal strip while the metal strip is in progress. It is a method of continuous heat treatment,
By passing the metal strip downstream in the heating zone, heating the metal strip to a peak metal temperature,
Passing the metal strip through the soaking zone, and passing the metal strip through the soaking zone, maintains the peak metal temperature of the metal strip for a constant duration.
A method of continuous heat treatment comprising quenching the metal strip from the peak metal temperature.
The heating zone has a plurality of magnetic rotors and the soaking zone has a plurality of additional magnetic rotors, and the metal strip is passed downstream adjacent to the plurality of magnetic rotors to heat the heating. Each of the zones and the magnetic rotors of the soaking zone is configured to rotate about a rotation axis perpendicular to the downstream direction and parallel to the lateral width of the metal strip.
The method comprises rotating the plurality of magnetic rotors around each axis of rotation, and the rotation of the plurality of magnetic rotors causes the metal strip to heat the metal strip to a peak metal temperature. Inducing eddy currents and
The plurality of magnetic rotors include a plurality of magnetic rotor pairs, and each of the plurality of magnetic rotor pairs includes a bottom magnetic rotor and an upper magnetic rotor separated by a gap, and the metal. Passing the strip adjacent to the plurality of magnetic rotors includes passing the metal strip through the gaps of the plurality of magnetic rotor pairs .
Floating the metal strip through the soaking zone includes levitation of the metal strip to rotate the additional rotors around each axis of rotation in close proximity to the metal strip.
Each magnetic rotor in the soaking zone consists of a plurality of laterally spaced magnetic sources, and the lateral position of the magnetic source within the continuous magnetic rotors of the soaking zone is lateral to the magnetic rotor immediately following. They are offset from each other with respect to the directionally spaced magnetic sources , resulting in a staggered array of magnetic sources.
A method of continuous heat treatment characterized in that. The method of claim 10, wherein rotating the magnetic rotor among the plurality of magnetic rotors comprises rotating the plurality of permanent magnets around the axis of rotation. Passing the metal strip through the soaking zone
Passing the metal strip through a chamber defined by a chamber wall positioned between the metal strip and the additional magnetic rotors.
10. The method of claim 10, comprising supplying gas from the gas supply to the chamber. Maintaining the peak metal temperature comprises applying a cooling fluid to the metal strip to offset the temperature rise induced in the metal strip by the rotation of the additional plurality of magnetic rotors. The method according to claim 10. Unwinding the metal strip from the starter coil and
After quenching the metal strip, leveling the metal strip and
After leveling the metal strip, reheating the metal strip, which reheats the metal strip, rotates one or more additional magnetic rotors adjacent to the metal strip. The method of claim 10, comprising heating. Further including passing the metal strip through the plate, the metal strip can be passed through.
Rotating the magnetic rotor in the downstream direction, wherein the magnetic rotor is selected from a group consisting of a set of the plurality of magnetic rotors and additional magnetic rotors.
Passing through the end of the metal strip by the magnetic rotor
The method according to claim 10, further comprising reversing the rotation of the magnetic rotor in order to rotate the magnetic rotor in the upstream direction. Unwinding the metal strip from the starter coil before passing the metal strip adjacent to the plurality of magnetic rotors.
After quenching the metal strip, the metal strip is rewound to the termination coil, wherein the metal strip of the termination coil is heat treated and rewound.
10. The method of claim 10, further comprising preventing the metal strip from passing through an accumulator between unwinding the metal strip and unwinding the metal strip. Joining the metal strip further comprises joining the metal strip to a subsequent metal strip.
While the metal strip is in progress, the metal strip and the subsequent metal strip are brought into contact with each other at a joint.
Passing a mobile junction device over the junction while the metal strip is in progress
10. The method of claim 10, comprising joining the joints while the metal strip is in progress. 10. The method of claim 10, further comprising coating or lubricating the metal strip, and then reheating the coated or lubricated metal strip.

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